Lao PDR History

 Modern Lao PDR has its roots in the ancient kingdom of Lan Xang. For three hundred years this powerful dynasty ruled, extending its influence into present-day Thailand and Cambodia. In the late 1700’s the country fell under the domination of Thailand until 1893 when it was incorporated into French Indochina. Laos gained independence in 1953 and was subsequently drawn into civil war. In 1975, the Pathet Lao took control of the government and established a Communist state. Today, Lao PDR is a single-party socialist republic with liberalized foreign investment laws, a limited return to private enterprise and tolerance of Buddhist practice.