"Effects of AFTA on poverty: Evidence from Laos. Between 1763 and 1769, Burmese armies overran northern Laos and annexed Luang Prabang, while Champasak eventually came under Siamese suzerainty. Vientiane, pronounced as "Viang-chan" in Lao, has been the Laotian capital city for 453 years. Very few of the Lao refugees, however, were willing to return voluntarily. According to the World Bank data conducted in 2014, Laos has met the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets on water and sanitation regarding the UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme. [104] Later reports have contradicted this, claiming they were sentenced to 20 years in prison. [61] According to the October 2007 UNODC fact book Opium Poppy Cultivation in South East Asia, the poppy cultivation area was 15 square kilometres (5.8sqmi), down from 18 square kilometres (6.9sqmi) in 2006. By 1940, around 600 French citizens lived in Laos. After the Pathet Lao took over the country in 1975, the conflict continued in isolated pockets. According to the International Monetary Fund, as of 01.01.2020, they amounted to USD 1.128 million. [citation needed], Laos's emergence from international isolation has been marked through improved and expanded relations with other countries including Russia, China, Thailand, Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan and Switzerland. Giant Buddha Statue Plan Rankles Residents of Laos' Capital: Report By Sebastian Strangio A Chinese firm's plans to build a 100-meter-high Buddha statue in low-lying Vientiane encapsulate China . The rebellion failed, and Vientiane was ransacked. As a result, newly elected US president John F. Kennedy authorized the recruitment of ethnic minorities in Laos to participate in covert military operations against the spread of communism. Laos, landlocked country of northeast-central mainland Southeast Asia. It was not until the arrival of the French in 1893 that the city was revived. [153][154] Buddhism has long been one of the most important social forces in Laos. The city's central river port location in a country relying heavily on its rivers for transportation and its surrounding hinterland of intensive rice cultivation have made Vientiane the major economic centre of Laos. 400 AD - Theravada Buddhism was introduced to Laos. ::", "Global Religious Landscape; Table: Religious Composition by Country", "Human Development Report 2009. In 2017, the country sent a team for the first time to the team events at the Southeast Asian Games. [84] Following threats of forcible removal by the Thai government, the United States, in a significant victory for the Hmong, agreed to accept 15,000 of the refugees in 2003. Vientiane was a Khmer (remember Cambodia?) [139]:8 Electricity is available to 93% of the population. [128] As of 2021, despite cheap hydro power available in the country, Laos continues to also rely on fossil fuels, coal in particular, in the domestic electricity production. [80] Following the Vue Mai incident, debate over the Hmong's planned repatriation to Laos intensified greatly, especially in the United States, where it drew strong opposition from many American conservatives and some human rights advocates. Laos's first French-written and monarchical constitution was promulgated on 11 May 1947, and declared Laos an independent state within the French Union. Vakulchuk, R., Chan, H.Y., Kresnawan, M.R., Merdekawati, M., Overland, I., Sagbakken, H.F., Suryadi, B., Utama, N.A. Services and facilities for tourists are adequate in the capital, Vientiane, and in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, but are extremely limited in . [60] The country is one of four in the opium poppy growing region known as the "Golden Triangle". The city of Vientiane is located on the Mekong River's bank near the Laos-Thailand border, and is the seat of the countrys national government. The Laos government, through attorney Colin M. Thompson, filed the petition on Monday and also named Lao . In 2016, China was the biggest foreign investor in Laos's economy, having invested in US$5.395billion since 1989, according to Laos Ministry of Planning and Investment's 19892014 report. The city has a tropical monsoon climate, every month . Laos is a landlocked country on the Indo-Chinese peninsula between Thailand and Vietnam. Under the plan, refugee status was evaluated through a screening process. [139]:19, The martial art of muay Lao, the national sport,[180] is a form of kickboxing similar to Thailand's muay Thai, Burmese Lethwei and Cambodian Pradal Serey. "Muay" comes from the Sanskrit term meaning "to box" but is generally used to describe the unarmed martial art found throughout Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. King Sisavang Vong of Luang Phrabang became ruler of a unified Laos, and Vientiane once again became the capital. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Vientiane is the largest city with an area of 3,920km and the most populous in Laos with a population of 562,244. The remainder, particularly in rural areas, speak ethnic minority languages. "Laos refuses to take back Thai-based Hmong refugees", Smith, Philip, Washington, D.C. (12 December 2014), Kyophilavong, Phouphet, et al. [96][97] In The Economist's Democracy Index 2016 Laos was classified as an "authoritarian regime", ranking lowest of the nine ASEAN nations included in the study. When he died without an heir, the kingdom split into three principalities. [156] Laos was ranked 117th in the Global Innovation Index in 2021 down from 113rd in 2020.[157][158][159][160][161]. You'll find yourself slowly won over by the easy charms of this evolving . In 1950, the French were forced to give Laos semi-autonomy as an "associated state" within the French Union. Major religion Buddhism. [19][20][21][22][23] In the Lao language, the country's name is Muang Lao () or Pathet Lao (), both of which literally mean 'Lao Country'. [175] Lao citizens who have criticised the government have been subjected to enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and torture. For example, Laotian music is dominated by its national musical instrument, the khaen, a type of bamboo mouth organ that has prehistoric origins. Of the many beautiful Wats in Vientiane, a visit to Wat Sisaket is a must; built in 1818, this is one of the oldest temples in Vientiane. Subsistence agriculture still accounts for half of the GDP and provides 80% of employment. It is stretched out on the north-eastern bank of a bend in the Mekong River. [138] Two new lines connecting with Vietnam, namely the VientianeVng ng and SavannakhetLao Bao railways, are also under planning, in line to meet the Laotian government's vision of becoming a land-linked nation. [108] In late February 2017, two of those imprisoned were finally released after 17 years. With an estimated population of 760,000 in 2015, the city is also the most populous in the nation. [45] When Japan surrendered, some Lao nationalists (including Prince Phetsarath) declared Laotian independence, but by early-1946, French troops had reoccupied the country and conferred limited autonomy on Laos. In 1960, amidst a series of rebellions in the Kingdom of Laos, fighting broke out between the Royal Lao Army (RLA) and the communist North Vietnamese and Soviet Union-backed Pathet Lao guerillas. The new China-Laos passenger and freight railway, serviced by an Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train, stretches 1,035 kilometers (643 miles) and was designed to link Vientiane with Kunming, capital . Evidence for modern human presence in the northern and central highlands of Indochina, that constitute the territories of the modern Laotian nation-state dates back to the Lower Paleolithic. Since July, 2021 the United States has shared 2,908,440 safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses with the people of Laos - free of cost. [47][46], In 1968, the PAVN launched a multi-division attack to help the Pathet Lao fight the RLA. They were the indigenous inhabitants of northern Laos. Em 2009, um antigo crnio foi encontrado em uma caverna nas montanhas Annamite, no norte do Laos. The nation's most important government buildings, ministries, departments and foreign embassies are located in Vientiane. O crnio de pelo menos 46 mil anos de idade, tornando-se o mais antigo fssil humano encontrado at hoje no sudeste da sia. It is bordered by Myanmar (used to be known in English as "Burma") and by China to the northwest, by Vietnam to the east, by Cambodia to the south and by . [46], Male life expectancy at birth was at 62.6 years and female life expectancy was at 66.7 years in 2017. In 1996 as the deadline for the closure of Thai refugee camps approached, and under mounting political pressure, the United States agreed to resettle Hmong refugees who passed a new screening process. Tuy nhin, cng ty ch giao dch c 216.678 c phiu theo phng thc tha thun do cha t k vng v gi. [73] The officials were to participate in a ceremony to mark the liberation of the Plain of Jars from the former Royal Lao government forces. A second Provisional Government of National Unity formed by Prince Souvanna Phouma in 1962 was unsuccessful, and the situation steadily deteriorated into large scale civil war between the Royal Laotian government and the Pathet Lao. Life expectancy 65 years (men), 68 years (women) Currency kip . Vientiane: Laos' Capital City . [78] Of those Hmong who did return to Laos, some quickly escaped back to Thailand, describing discrimination and brutal treatment at the hands of Lao authorities. [150] Languages like Khmu (Austroasiatic) and Hmong (Hmong-Mien) are spoken by minorities, particularly in the midland and highland areas. Biggest Cities In Laos Vientiane . In 2009, despite the fact that the government is still officially communist, the Obama administration in the US declared Laos was no longer a MarxistLeninist state and lifted bans on Laotian companies receiving financing from the US Export-Import Bank.[117][118]. Updated on November 19, 2021. As the country opens up, with an increasing number of roads and bridges being built the tourist attractions are becoming more and more accessible. [46], During the First Indochina War, the Indochinese Communist Party formed the Pathet Lao independence organisation. [145] The Lao belong to the Tai linguistic group[146] who began migrating south from China in the first millennium CE. All newspapers are published by the government, including two foreign language papers: the English-language daily Vientiane Times and the French-language weekly Le Rnovateur. Located on the Mekong River the city has 950,000 inhabitants. According to linguistic and other historical evidence, Tai-speaking tribes migrated southwestward to the modern territories of Laos and Thailand from Guangxi sometime between the 8th and 10th centuries. ", "Laos Deputy PM Douangchay Phichit dies in plane crash", "Laos plane crash kills defence minister and senior officials", "Lao Defense Chief Among Plane Crash Victims", "Hmong Leader's Vanishing In Laos Reverberates in U.S.", Reports on results of investigations of allegations concerning the welfare of Hmong refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand and Laos, "Refugee Admissions Program for East Asia", "History of the Hmong Resettlement Task Force", Report on the situation in the Xaysomboun Special Zone and 1100 Hmong-Lao refugees who escaped to Petchabun, Thailand during 20042005, Thailand: EU Presidency Declaration on the situation of Hmong refugees, "Hmong refugees facing removal from Thailand", Deportation of Hmong Lao refugees stopped in last minute, Hmong: UNHCR Protests Refugee Deportation, "Somsanga's Secrets | Arbitrary Detention, Physical Abuse, and Suicide inside a Lao Drug Detention Center", "In charts: How the Philippines fares in Southeast Asia", "Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review: Eighth session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council", "Human Rights Watch Concerns on Laos Submitted in advance of the EU-Laos Human Rights Dialogue October 2015", "Human Rights Abuses in Laos Must be Tackled Now", "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016", "Free former student leaders arbitrarily detained for 17 years", "Amnesty International Report 2016/17: Laos", "Laos, Vietnam troops kill Hmong Christians", "Laos, Vietnam troops kill four Hmong Christians: NGO", "Two teenagers rescued from forced prostitution in Laos", "Chinese marriage proposals become prostitution nightmares for some Lao girls", "Communism and Capitalism Are Mixing in Laos", https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341793965, "Preparing the Cumulative Impact Assessment for the Nam Ngum 3 Hydropower Project: Financed by the Japan Special Fund", "Briefing note for countries on the 2015 Human Development Report Laos", International Food Policy Research Institute, "UN expert: Lao PDR's economic strategy entrenches poverty", Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, European Council On Tourism And Trade Delegation Visit To Laos-World Best Tourist Destination European Council On Tourism And Trade, "The Lao People's Democratic Republic's Vision for Ecotourism", "China's BRI and its High-Speed Railways to Nowhere", "Focales n 8. French is also used in public works in central and southern Laos and Luang Prabang and is a language of diplomacy and of the elite classes, higher professions and elders. Political power is centralized in the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Only 4% of the country is arable land and a mere 0.3% used as permanent crop land,[120] the lowest percentage in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand, where the mountains of the Annamite Range form most of the eastern border with Vietnam and the Luang Prabang Range the northwestern border with the Thai highlands. This slim paperback by Sam Brier and Phouphanomlack (Tee) Sangkhampone boasts an intuitive, sound-based way to learn the written Lao alphabet and sounds of the Lao language. Laos can be considered to consist of three geographical areas: north, central, and south. The Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) is a developing country ruled by a one-party, Communist government. Bounchao Pichit, "Laos Cinema," in David Hanan, ed., General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, "Results of Population and Housing Census 2015", "Lao People's Democratic Republic's Constitution of 1991 with Amendments through 2003", https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2012/12/globalReligion-tables.pdf, "World Economic Outlook Database, April 2022", "Lao People's Democratic Republic and the WTO", "China train project runs roughshod over Laos", "Laos approves Xayaburi 'mega' dam on Mekong", "Laos Securities Exchange to start trading", "10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Laos", "Anatomically modern human in Southeast Asia (Laos) by 46 ka", "Archaeological Investigations in northern Laos: New contributions to Southeast Asian prehistory", "History and Practice of Archaeology in Laos", Pittayaporn, Pittayawat (2014). A Siamese military campaign in Laos in 1876 was described by a British observer as having been "transformed into slave-hunting raids on a large scale".[37]. . 1353 - Lan Xang (Million Elephants) Kingdom, founded in the 14th century by Fa Ngum. [155], The adult literacy rate for women in 2017 was 62.9%; for adult men, 78.1%. [62], The climate is mostly tropical savanna and influenced by the monsoon pattern. [144], Laos's population was estimated at 7.45million in 2020, dispersed unevenly across the country. Origins of the Lao Kingdom. [101] On 25 September 2009, Laos ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, nine years after signing the treaty. [139]:8 Songthaews are used in the country for long-distance and local public transport. Lan Xang became an important trade centre during Samsenthai's reign, but after his death in 1421 it collapsed into warring factions for nearly a century. All things considered, it . The revised constitution of 11 May 1957 omitted reference to the French Union, though close educational, health and technical ties with the former colonial power persisted. Asia. 3,920 square kilometres and is located on the banks of the Mekong, close to the Thai border.Vientiane was the administrative capital . [45] The Japanese attempted to force Sisavang Vong (the King of Luang Phrabang) to declare Laotian independence, but on 8 April he instead simply declared an end to Laos's status as a French protectorate. Laos is a landlocked country located in the Indochinese Peninsula. Location: Champasak Province, Laos. Compared to the hectic, bustling capitals in other South . [110][111], Human rights advocates including Vang Pobzeb, Kerry and Kay Danes, and others have also raised concerns about human rights violations, torture, the arrest and detention of political prisoners as well as the detention of foreign prisoners in Laos including at the infamous Phonthong Prison in Vientiane. Laos applied for membership of the World Trade Organization in 1997; on 2 February 2013, it was granted full membership. [89], The European Union,[90] UNHCHR, and international groups have since spoken out about the forced repatriation. (Lao: , pronounced Loo-ang pah-bang and also spelled Louangphrabang, is the former capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage city. Visiting Vientiane, Laos, elicits such a diversity of opinions from travelers, it's often hard . Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Vientiane is a city steeped in legend and history. In a 23 October 1995 National Review article, Michael Johns, the former Heritage Foundation foreign policy expert and Republican White House aide, labelled the Hmong's repatriation a Clinton administration "betrayal", describing the Hmong as a people "who have spilled their blood in defense of American geopolitical interests". The Pathet Lao began a war against the French colonial forces with the aid of the Vietnamese independence organisation, the Viet Minh. Laos produced tin, rubber, and coffee, but never accounted for more than one percent of French Indochina's exports. From the river bank inland, the three main roads run parallel to the river, while the . In response, the United States initiated a bombing campaign against the PAVN positions, supported regular and irregular anti-communist forces in Laos, and supported Army of the Republic of Vietnam incursions into Laos. Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan, is a . [43] Otherwise, according to Martin Stuart-Fox, the Lao might well have lost control over their own country. For example, Article 8 makes it clear that Laos is a multinational state and is committed to equality between ethnic groups. [141] Laos's predominantly rural[142] population makes investing in sanitation difficult. For other uses, see, , "Peace, independence, democracy, unity and prosperity", Independence and Communist rule (1953present), The State respects and protects all lawful activities of Buddhists and of followers of other religions, [and] mobilises and encourages Buddhist monks and novices as well as the priests of other religions to participate in activities that are beneficial to the country and people, Sanda Simms, ch. [19] In English, the 's' is pronounced, and not silent. More than a century later, the kingdom was replaced by the Kingdom of Vientiane in 1707. Pha That Luang, the countrys most revered national monuments, is located in Vientiane. [76], In 1989, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), with the support of the US government, instituted the Comprehensive Plan of Action, a programme to stem the tide of Indochinese refugees from Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. [109], Laos and Vietnamese (SRV) troops were reported to have raped and killed four Christian Hmong women in Xiangkhouang Province in 2011, according to the US-based non-governmental public policy research organisation The Centre for Public Policy Analysis, which also said other Christian and independent Buddhist and animist believers were being persecuted. Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. [125], Laos is rich in mineral resources and imports petroleum and gas. Today, French has a healthier status in Laos than the other Francophone nations of Asia and about 35% of all students in Laos receive their education in French, with the language being a required course in many schools. The 1957 document was abrogated in December 1975, when a communist people's republic was proclaimed. Pakxe has also experienced growth based on cross-border trade with Thailand and Vietnam. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}18N 105E / 18N 105E / 18; 105. Laos is a landlocked country located in the Indochinese Peninsula. [71] In 2005 it attended the inaugural East Asia Summit. There are two plateaux, the Xiangkhoang in the north and the Bolaven Plateau at the southern end. [141] Laos's progress is notable in comparison to similar developing countries. Laos financed the remaining 30% with loans from . The Lao government has been working with the International Rice Research Institute of the Philippines to collect seed samples of each of the thousands of rice varieties found in Laos. Lao PDR: How to Attract More Investment in Small-Scale Renewable Energy? It was founded in 1563 and was prompted by fears of attacks from Burma. Gunderson, Steve (18 May 1996) "State Department Outlines Resettlement Guidelines for Hmong Refugees". [98][99] Prominent civil society advocates, human rights defenders, political and religious dissidents, and Hmong refugees have disappeared at the hands of Lao military and security forces. A post-independence civil war began, which saw the communist resistance, supported by the Soviet Union, fight against the monarchy that later came under influence of military regimes supported by the United States. [32], In 1520, Photisarath came to the throne and moved the capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane to avoid a Burmese invasion. Xinhua That Luang Festival celebrated in Vientiane, Laos Candlelight parade surrounding the That Luang Stupa in Lao capital Vientiane on the night of Nov. 11, 2019. . [124] Laos may have the greatest number of rice varieties in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The indigenous Khmers are believed to have been largely displaced or killed during the 11th and 12th centuries, when the Lao people entered the region. Pakse is the capital and most populous city of Champasak Province in Southern Laos. [citation needed], Massive aerial bombardments against the PAVN/Pathet Lao forces were carried out by the United States to prevent the collapse of the Kingdom of Laos central government, and to deny the use of the Ho Chi Minh Trail to attack US forces in South Vietnam. Foreign enterprises must report on their performance annually and submit annual financial statements to MPI. [citation needed], The Lao government controls all media channels to prevent critique of its actions. The Thai government attempted to repatriate these refugees, but the Wat Tham Krabok Hmong refused to leave and the Lao government refused to accept them, claiming they were involved in the illegal drug trade and were of non-Lao origin. One of the most problematic economic sectors in Laos is transport. Laos has nine daily newspapers, 90 magazines, 43 radio stations, and 32 TV stations operating throughout the country. [144], The people of Laos are often categorised by their distribution by elevation: (lowlands, midlands and upper high lands) as this somewhat correlates with ethnic groupings. The Lao National Tourism Administration, related government agencies and the private sector are working together to realise the vision put forth in the country's National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan. The Mekong River is vital as a transportation route for cargo and passengers, a source of electricity at dams, a water supply for crops, and a home to fish . Sticky rice is a staple food and has cultural and religious significance to the Lao people. The main international airports are Vientiane's Wattay International Airport and Luang Prabang International Airport with Pakse International Airport also having a few international flights. [104], In October 1999, 30 young people were arrested for attempting to display posters calling for peaceful economic, political and social change in Laos. [167] One production company's film that has succeeded to produce Lao feature films and gain international recognition is Lao New Wave Cinema's At the Horizon, directed by Anysay Keola, that was screened at the OzAsia Film Festival[168] and Lao Art Media's Chanthaly (Lao: ) directed by Mattie Do, which was screened at the 2013 Fantastic Fest. The sinh is a traditional garment worn by Lao women in daily life. Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th century under King FA NGUM. [38] France rescued King Oun Kham and added Luang Phrabang to the protectorate of French Indochina. Laos(nume oficial: Republica Popular Democrat Laos) este un stat fr ieire la mare din Asia de Sud-Est, ce se nvecineaz cu Birmania (Myanmar) i China la nord-est, cu Vietnamul la est, cu Cambodgia la sud i cu Thailanda la vest. Today, it remains the unofficial tourist capital. Between 1995 and 2008 approximately 1,232,900 more people had access to improved sanitation in rural areas. 783.322 c phiu cn li tip tc c FPT Capital . [126] In addition, the country's plentiful water resources and mountainous terrain enable it to produce and export large quantities of hydroelectric energy. [47][51] The royalists set up a government in exile in the United States. [122] Rice dominates agriculture, with about 80% of the arable land area used for growing rice. A coup d'tat in 1960 in the Lao capital, Vientiane, deepened the country's political instability. The proto-historic period is characterised by contact with Chinese and Indian civilisations. Five of them were arrested and subsequently sentenced to up to 10 years imprisonment on charges of treason. [163] The first feature-length film made after the monarchy was abolished is Gun Voice from the Plain of Jars, directed by Somchith Pholsena in 1983, although its release was prevented by a censorship board. 15. His reign is often regarded as Laos's golden age. It has failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup or the AFC Asian Cup, but has participated in minor competitions like the AFC Solidarity Cup and the AFF Championship. [183] Since the start of the league, Lao Army F.C. Entitled The Rocket, the film appeared at the 2013 Melbourne International Film Festival and won three awards at the Berlin International Film Festival. Additionally, many elite and French-educated Lao immigrated to nations such as the United States and France to escape government persecution. . "[132], The country's most widely recognised product may well be Beerlao, which in 2017 was exported to more than 20 countries worldwide. "Lao Refugees Return Home Under European Union Repatriation Program", Associated Press Worldstream, 22 11, 1994. [135] The European Council on Trade and Tourism awarded the country the "World Best Tourist Destination" designation for 2013 for architecture and history.[136]. Theravada Buddhism has coexisted peacefully since its introduction to the country with the local polytheism. Capital: Vientiane. [65] Get an insider's access to these Asia's exotic countries: Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.Discover: Bangkok (the capital and most populous city of Thailand, is known for its street life, cultural landmarks, spicy food and Buddhist temples); up next go travel to Hanoi (the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich . According to independent non-profit/non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Amnesty International,[104] Human Rights Watch,[105] and Civil Rights Defenders,[106] along with the US State Department,[107] serious human rights violations such as arbitrary detentions, disappearances, free speech restrictions, prison abuses and other violations are an ongoing problem. The mountainous geography of Laos had impeded Laos's ground transportation development throughout the 20th century. Government policies are determined by the party through the eleven-member Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the 61-member Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.