What was Laos before?
In 1893, the three territories came under a French protectorate and were united to form what is now known as Laos.
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Laos.
| Lao People’s Democratic Republic ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ (Lao) Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxôn Lao (Romanisation) | |
|---|---|
| • French protectorate | 1893–1953 |
Where did Laotian people come from?
The Lao people were a tribe originally from Yunnan, China, who were pushed south to the border of the Khmer empire in the 13th century. The first Lao kingdom, called Lan Xang or “land of the million elephants,” was founded by Fa Ngum in 1353.
How many ethnicities are in Laos?
Laos is the most ethnically diverse country in continental Southeast Asia, and its government recognizes 160 ethnic subgroups within 49 ethnic groups.
Did Laos used to be part of Thailand?
The Lao kingdom of Lan Xang included all of northeastern Thailand as recently as the early 18th century. … Thailand’s northeastern region, Isan, has particularly strong Lao roots.
When did Laos split from Thailand?
On December 2, 1975, the king was forced to abdicate his throne and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was established. Around 300,000 people out of a total population of 3 million left Laos by crossing the border into Thailand following the end of the civil war.
Why is Laos so poor?
Despite rapid growth, Laos remains one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia. A landlocked country, it has inadequate infrastructure and a largely unskilled work force.