Page 3 - Laos Destination Guide - Alluring Asia

POPULATION HISTORY Laos has a population of slightly over 6.8 million with most people living in Laos traces its first recorded history and its origins as a unified state to the valleys of the Mekong River and the emergence of the Kingdom of Lan Xang (literally, "million elephants") its tributaries. in 1353. Under the rule of King Fa Ngum, this powerful and wealthy kingdom held suzerainty over much of what today is Thailand and Laos. TIME His successors, especially King Setthathirat in the 16th century, helped Laos time is GMT plus 7 establish Buddhism as the predominant religion of the country. They are 15 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time, and 12 hours ahead By the 17th century, the kingdom of Lan Xang entered a period of decline of Eastern Standard Time marked by dynastic struggle and conflicts with its neighbors. In the late 18th century, the Siamese (Thai) established suzerainty over much of VISAS what is now Laos. The region was divided into principalities centered on United States Citizens require a Visa. Luang Prabang in the north, Vientiane in the center, and Champassak in Your passport must be valid for at the south. Following their colonization of Vietnam, the French least 6 months from the date of supplanted the Siamese and began to integrate all of Laos into the French arrival into Laos. empire. The Franco-Siamese treaty of 1907 defined the present Lao boundary with Thailand. INSURANCE Because the standard of emergency During World War II, the Japanese occupied French Indochina, including treatment in Laos is not as high as in Laos. King Sisavang Vong of Luang Prabang was induced to declare the West, it is advisable in addition to independence from France in 1945, just prior to Japan's surrender. During normal medical insurance, to take this period, nationalist sentiment grew. In September 1945, Vientiane and out a policy which covers evacuation. Champassak united with Luang Prabang to form an independent government under the Free Laos (Lao Issara) banner. The movement, however, was short-lived. By early 1946, French troops reoccupied the country and conferred limited autonomy on Laos following elections for a constituent assembly. During the first Indochina war between France and the communist movement in Vietnam, Prince Souphanouvong helped form the Pathet Lao (Land of Laos) resistance organization committed to the communist struggle against colonialism. Laos was not granted full sovereignty until the French defeat by the Vietnamese and the subsequent Geneva peace conference in 1954. Elections were held in 1955, and the first coalition government, led by Prince Souvanna Phouma, was formed in 1957. The coalition government collapsed in 1958, amidst increased polarization of the political process. Rightist forces took over the government. In 1960, Kong Le, an army captain, seized Vientiane in a coup and demanded the formation of a neutralist government to end the fighting. The neutralist government, once again led by Souvanna Phouma, was not successful in holding power. Rightist forces under Gen. Phoumi Nosavan supplanted it later that same year. Subsequently, the neutralists allied themselves with the communist insurgents and began to receive support from the Soviet Union. Phoumi Nosavan's rightist regime received support from the United States.