Background: Laos was under the control of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, a liberalization of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997.
June 12th 2008Asia » Laos » West » Pakbeng Gals 'n Boys ... how's everything over ther pond ? How is the german team doing in the EM, hope your TVs are working fine andf you[ve a great deal of ice-cold beer in the fridge. It's been a while sin ... [full story]
April 17th 2008Asia » Laos » West » Pakbeng Day 41-April 15th: I got up at 7:00ish and ate breakfast at the guesthouse. I walked over to the Thai exit point with my backpack on my back, and caught the ferry across the Mekong to Houie Xie, Laos ... [full story]
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