Metallurgy is an important industry, and the government hopes to attract foreign investment to develop the substantial deposits of coal, gold, bauxite, tin, copper, and other valuable metals. Compared to the hectic, bustling capitals in other South . Amongst them, 100,000 Hmongs30% of the entire Hmong populationand 90% of all of Lao intellectuals, specialists, and officials. Laos is divided into 17 provinces (khoueng) and one prefecture (kampheng nakhon), which includes the capital city Vientiane (Nakhon Louang Viangchan). Vientiane, the capital city of Laos in the 1990s. 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. Pakxe has also experienced growth based on cross-border trade with Thailand and Vietnam. 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 . 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. The remainder, particularly in rural areas, speak ethnic minority languages. Karen J, "House Panel Hears Concerns About Hmong", States News Service, 26 April 1994. From 1975 to 1996, the United States resettled some 250,000 Lao refugees from Thailand, including 130,000 Hmong. [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. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Vientiane is a city steeped in legend and history. Located on a curve of the Mekong River, Vientiane Capital has a recorded history that stretches back to around 1,000 AD. The politically and culturally dominant Lao people make up 53.2% of the population, mostly in the lowlands. A coup d'tat in 1960 in the Lao capital, Vientiane, deepened the country's political instability. This includes 1,900,440 Pfizer and 1,000,800 J&J doses. and Yurnaidi, Z., 2020. Zaisan Memorial,Ulan Bator,Mongolia. Population 6.7 million. [15][16] Laos has been referred to as one of Southeast Asia and Pacific's fastest growing economies by the World Bank with annual GDP growth averaging 7.4% since 2009. [75], Some Hmong groups fought as CIA-backed units on the royalist side in the Laotian Civil War. [72], On 17 May 2014, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Douangchay Phichit was killed in a plane crash, along with other top ranking officials. 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. [65] At the eve of the Vietnam War, the Secret War was beginning in Laos as political factions between communist Pathet Lao and the government occurred. [42] By 1943, the Vietnamese population stood at nearly 40,000, forming the majority in the largest cities of Laos and enjoying the right to elect its own leaders. The Capital City of Laos (officially named Lao People's Democratic Republic) is the city of Vientiane.The population of Vientiane in the year 2007 was 6,521,998. In 1977, a communist newspaper promised the party would hunt down the "American collaborators" and their families "to the last root". [125], Laos is rich in mineral resources and imports petroleum and gas. Getty Images offers exclusive rights-ready and premium royalty-free analog, HD, and 4K video of the highest quality. [17][18], The word Laos was coined by the French, who united the three Lao kingdoms in French Indochina in 1893 and named the country as the plural of the dominant and most common ethnic group, the Lao people. In 1990 only 8% of the rural population had access to improved sanitation. [90][91][92][93] The Thai foreign ministry has said that it will halt deportation of Hmong refugees held in Detention Centres in Nong Khai, while talks are underway to resettle them in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and the United States. However, villages far from major roads can be reached only through unpaved roads that may not be accessible year-round. Vientiane Capital is the home to the most significant . He encouraged a renaissance of Lao fine arts and literature and improved relations with Luang Phrabang. Travel over the land is hard. 400 AD - Theravada Buddhism was introduced to Laos. [155] The National University of Laos is the Lao state's public university. [169][170] In September 2017, Laos submitted Dearest Sister (Lao: ), Mattie Do's second feature film, to the 90th Academy Awards (or the Oscars) for consideration for Best Foreign Language Film, marking the country's first submission for the Oscars. However, historians claim the city was an ancient Khmer settlement that formed around a Hindu temple. Gently cut cilantro resting atop a raging furnace of flavor. A man who lost land and property to the Laos-China railway project near the capital said he has yet to receive any promised money. [179] Only 3.5% of women and 2.1% of men between the ages of 1549 were in a polygamous union as of 2017. Bangkok - Hanoi - Laos by Air 9 nights from $1,615*. The stupa is open from 8am-4pm daily (with a one hour break from 12-1) and costs 5,000 kip to enter the inside. English, the language of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has become increasingly studied in recent years. . The first Lao kingdom, called Lan Xang or "land of the million elephants," was founded by Fa Ngum in 1353. 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. [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. Energy Efficiency Retrofitting of Buildings Challenges and Methods", Diller, Anthony; Edmondson, Jerry; Luo, Yongxian (2004). His reign is often regarded as Laos's golden age. Most people live in valleys of the Mekong River and its tributaries. The Tai-Kadai Languages, ":: Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission, R.o.c. After the Vietnam War ended in 1975, the communist Pathet Lao came to power, ending the civil war. [123] Approximately 77% of Lao farm households are self-sufficient in rice. Residents of Laos' capital Vientiane on October 16 witnessed the arrival of the first passenger high-speed train running on the new Laos-China railway line which will, after some test runs, come into full operation in December . Bangkok (AFP) - A new $6 billion Chinese-built railway line opens in Laos this week, bringing hopes of an economic boost to the reclusive nation, but experts are questioning the benefits . [47][46], The First Indochina War took place across French Indochina and eventually led to French defeat and the signing of a peace accord for Laos at the Geneva Conference of 1954. Sticky rice is a staple food and has cultural and religious significance to the Lao people. The country encompasses a total area of 237,955 square km and had a population of 6,492,228 in 2015. The major roads connecting to urban centres, in particular Route 13, have been significantly upgraded in recent years. 3,920 square kilometres and is located on the banks of the Mekong, close to the Thai border.Vientiane was the administrative capital . There are two plateaux, the Xiangkhoang in the north and the Bolaven Plateau at the southern end. Sticky rice is generally preferred over jasmine rice, and sticky rice cultivation and production is thought to have originated in Laos. Updated on November 19, 2021. This sector has made significant contributions to the economic condition of Laos. In 1950, the French were forced to give Laos semi-autonomy as an "associated state" within the French Union. The Lao Securities Exchange (LSX) began operations in 2011 with two stocks listed, both state-owned - the Banque Pour l'CommerceExterieur (BCEL), and the power generation arm of . 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. The capital of Laos is Vientiane, which was founded 13th century. Other terms are Khmu, Khamu (Kammu) or Kha as the Lao Loum refer to them to indicate their Austroasiatic language affiliation. [184], Laos has no tradition in other team sports. Under the plan, refugee status was evaluated through a screening process. 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. [171], As of 2018, Laos has three theatres dedicated to showing films.[172]. Southeast Asia is a region in the southern part of Asia that is composed of 11 countries: Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand . When Fa Ngum was a baby, his grandfather, the reigning king, expelled Fa Ngum's father . Address: 133 Chanthakhoummarn Road, Chanthabouly district. 15. About 3km to the north of the city, it is easy to reach the centre from the airport by taxi, tuk tuk or bus. 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. He describes his experience in the Lao capital in fine detail, making the minutiae come alive. Foreign enterprises must report on their performance annually and submit annual financial statements to MPI. Mon-Khmer groups, the Hmong, and other indigenous hill tribes live in the foothills and mountains. Vientiane, Laos - Jul 29, 1998: Tuk-tuk and Patuxai Triumphal arch in Lane Xang Avenue. [101] On 25 September 2009, Laos ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, nine years after signing the treaty. 4 min. But around the 11th and 12th centuries, the Lao and Thai came from Southern China and overtook the area. The national carrier is Lao Airlines. [156] Laos was ranked 117th in the Global Innovation Index in 2021 down from 113rd in 2020.[157][158][159][160][161]. [30] He made Theravada Buddhism the state religion, and Lan Xang prospered. After the Pathet Lao took over the country in 1975, the conflict continued in isolated pockets. SE Asia. [150] Languages like Khmu (Austroasiatic) and Hmong (Hmong-Mien) are spoken by minorities, particularly in the midland and highland areas. [104], In October 1999, 30 young people were arrested for attempting to display posters calling for peaceful economic, political and social change in Laos. 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. Vakulchuk, R., Chan, H.Y., Kresnawan, M.R., Merdekawati, M., Overland, I., Sagbakken, H.F., Suryadi, B., Utama, N.A. 900-1300 AD - Most of Laos is subordinate to the Khmer Empire at Angkor. [60] The country is one of four in the opium poppy growing region known as the "Golden Triangle". 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 . [47][46], Laos was a key part of the Vietnam War since parts of Laos were invaded and occupied by North Vietnam since 1958 for use as a supply route for its war against South Vietnam. [77] Pressure to resettle the refugees grew as the Thai government worked to close its remaining refugee camps. With one-party state status of Laos, the General Secretary (party leader) holds ultimate power and authority over state and government and serves as the supreme leader. According to the USCommittee for Refugees, he was arrested by Lao security forces and was never seen again. The main investor is Thailand. 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]. ", Barclay, Adam and Shrestha, Samjhana (AprilJune 2006). [71] In 2005 it attended the inaugural East Asia Summit. [165] The 2017 documentary feature film Blood Road was predominantly shot and produced in Laos with assistance from the Lao government, it was recognised with a News and Documentary Emmy Award in 2018. [87], Lending further support to earlier claims that the government of Laos was persecuting the Hmong, filmmaker Rebecca Sommer documented first-hand accounts in her documentary, Hunted Like Animals,[88] and in a comprehensive report that includes summaries of refugee claims and was submitted to the UN in May 2006. [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. [114][115][116], The Lao economy depends on investment and trade with its neighbours, Thailand, Vietnam, and, especially in the north, China. More than half of the nation's population is ethnic Laothe principal lowland inhabitants, and the politically and culturally dominant people of Laos. In 1899, Vientiane became the capital of the French protectorate of Laos, which ensured further development in the city. The king then secretly sent Prince Kindavong to represent Laos to the Allied forces and Prince Sisavang as representative to the Japanese. Other Buddhist holy places are Wat Ong . 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. Thailand (invested US$4.489billion) and Vietnam (invested US$3.108billion) are the second and third largest investors respectively. Additionally, the Khao San Pathet Lao, the country's official news agency, publishes English and French versions of its eponymous paper. With the end of isolationism in the early 1990s however, the French language rebounded, thanks to the establishment of French, Swiss and Canadian relations and opening of French-language centers in central Laos. Lao People's Democratic Republic or Laos (), is a country in southeast Asia. Present-day Laos traces its historic and cultural identity to Lan Xang, which existed from the 13th century to the 18th century as one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Its thickly forested landscape consists mostly of rugged mountains, the highest of which is Phou Bia at 2,818 metres (9,245ft), with some plains and plateaus. [12] Its capital and largest city is Vientiane. [122] Rice dominates agriculture, with about 80% of the arable land area used for growing rice. [63], Laos is divided into 17 provinces (khoueng) and one prefecture (kampheng nakhon), which includes the capital city Vientiane (Nakhon Louang Viangchan). It is estimated that about 37% of educated Laotians live outside Laos. Most of the population (63%) resides within . [47][51] The royalists set up a government in exile in the United States. Photo: Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0. Jaew. [39] Laos never held any importance for France[40] other than as a buffer state between Thailand and the more economically important Annam and Tonkin. [104] Later reports have contradicted this, claiming they were sentenced to 20 years in prison. Jaew can refer to any type of dipping sauce, of which Laos has a never ending abundance. Laos locked down its capital and closed its international borders to most traffic Thursday after identifying a COVID-19 cluster connected to its bigger neighbor Thailand. Trekking in Luang Namtha Laos is now an independent country with an elected government, and Vientiane is its official capital. After talks with the UNHCR and the Thai government, Laos agreed to repatriate the 60,000 Lao refugees living in Thailand, including several thousand Hmong people. [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. [56], On 3 December 2021, the 422-kilometre Boten-Vientiane railway, a flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was opened. The mountainous geography of Laos had impeded Laos's ground transportation development throughout the 20th century. 1 Vientiane the increasingly busy capital on the banks of the Mekong River; 2 Huay Xai in the north, on the Mekong and the border with Thailand; 3 Luang Namtha capital of the north, known for its trekking; 4 Luang Prabang a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its numerous temples, colonial era architecture, and vibrant night market; 5 Muang Xay also known as . The capital is Vientiane (Lao: Viangchan), located on the Mekong River in the northern portion of the country. [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. [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. provided 70% of the funding for a $5.9 billion, 400-km railway line between the Chinese border and the capital Vientiane, which opened for operations in December 2021. A major breakthrough occurred in December 2021, when the 414-km long standard-gauge BotenVientiane railway that runs from the capital Vientiane to Boten at the northern border with China, built as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, was opened. [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. Laos will . It was built in 1556, when the capital was moved from Luang Prabang to Vientiene, and took 6 years to complete. Location: Champasak Province, Laos. [95], Human rights violations remain a significant concern in Laos. For example, Laotian music is dominated by its national musical instrument, the khaen, a type of bamboo mouth organ that has prehistoric origins. The capital of Laos is Vientiane. [183] Since the start of the league, Lao Army F.C. The airport in Paske was completed in 2009 with one terminal for both international and domestic flights. Savada, Andrea Matles (editor) (1994) "Events in 1945". "Laos agrees to voluntary repatriation of refugees in Thailand", U.P.I., 5 June 1991. [28], Laos traces its history to the kingdom of Lan Xang ('million elephants'), which was founded in the 13th century by a Lao prince, Fa Ngum,[29]:223 whose father had his family exiled from the Khmer Empire. In 1893, the three territories came under a French protectorate and were united to form what is now known as Laos. The Pha That Luang Temple in Vientiane, Laos. Located on the Mekong River the city has 950,000 inhabitants. Theravada Buddhism is a dominant influence in Lao culture. The Pathet Lao began a war against the French colonial forces with the aid of the Vietnamese independence organisation, the Viet Minh. [127] Of the potential capacity of approximately 18,000 megawatts, around 8,000 megawatts have been committed for export to Thailand and Vietnam. [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. It is a hand-woven silk skirt that can identify the woman who wears it in a variety of ways. [24], An ancient human skull was recovered in 2009 from the Tam Pa Ling Cave in the Annamite Mountains in northern Laos; the skull is at least 46,000 years old, making it the oldest modern human fossil found to date in Southeast Asia. Department of Statistics, Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2009. The streets are lined with trees, French colonial buildings, street markets, Buddhist temples, and noodle shops. [35] Anouvong was taken to Bangkok as a prisoner, where he died. Population 6.7 million. [62], The climate is mostly tropical savanna and influenced by the monsoon pattern. Of the almost $6 billion cost for the China-Laos railway, the Chinese government will pay 70 percent. [58] Laos had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 5.59/10, ranking it 98th globally out of 172 countries. 500 BC - The Plain of Jars, one of the most important prehistoric sites in Southeast Asia, dates from between 500 BC and 500 AD. Many elements of Lao culture predate Buddhism. [57], Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, and it lies mostly between latitudes 14 and 23N (a small area is south of 14), and longitudes 100 and 108E. Origins of the Lao Kingdom. 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. Local tradition holds that there are three seasons (rainy, cool and hot) as the latter two months of the climatologically defined dry season are noticeably hotter than the earlier four months. Laos is the only landlocked nation in Southeast Asia. According to a Laotian epic, Vientiane was founded on the Mekong Rivers eastern banks by a prince named Thattaradtha. The first bullet train to serve the high-speed Laos-China railway sits in a rail station in the Lao capital Vientiane, Oct. 16, 2021. Very few of the Lao refugees, however, were willing to return voluntarily. Browse 13,220 laos capital stock photos and images available, or search for laos culture or thailand to find more great stock photos and pictures. Cities []. An "urban" village is essentially a town.[58]. Laos can be considered to consist of three geographical areas: north, central, and south. All these changes were partly due to the inflow of foreign capital into the Lao economy in the form of direct investment. Vientiane Capital, the capital city of Lao PDR, is a small, relaxed city, located in the central of Laos. "Last month, they the authorities told us they're going to . Ngum was descended from a long line of Lao kings that traced back to Khoun Boulom. Great day in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. [47][46], In 1968, the PAVN launched a multi-division attack to help the Pathet Lao fight the RLA. has been the most successful club with 8 titles, the highest number of championship wins. Entitled The Rocket, the film appeared at the 2013 Melbourne International Film Festival and won three awards at the Berlin International Film Festival. 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. Visiting Vientiane, Laos, elicits such a diversity of opinions from travelers, it's often hard . Tuy nhin, cng ty ch giao dch c 216.678 c phiu theo phng thc tha thun do cha t k vng v gi. Laos is a part of the Southeast Asian region. For example, Khammu farmers in Luang Prabang plant the rice variety khao kam in small quantities near the farm house in memory of dead parents, or at the edge of the rice field to indicate that parents are still alive.[162]. Vientiane Capital is the home to the most significant national monument in Laos: That Luang (Great Stupa), which is the symbol of Lao and an icon of Buddhism in Laos. Additionally, many elite and French-educated Lao immigrated to nations such as the United States and France to escape government persecution. By 1940, around 600 French citizens lived in Laos. Lao PDR: How to Attract More Investment in Small-Scale Renewable Energy? (Lao: , pronounced Loo-ang pah-bang and also spelled Louangphrabang, is the former capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage city. The close ties between Laos and Vietnam were formalised via a treaty signed in 1977, which has since provided direction for Lao foreign policy, and provides the basis for Vietnamese involvement at all levels of Lao political and economic life. Subsistence agriculture still accounts for half of the GDP and provides 80% of employment. 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. . Laos's first French-written and monarchical constitution was promulgated on 11 May 1947, and declared Laos an independent state within the French Union. The constitution and Family Code bar the legal recognition of polygamous marriages, stipulating that monogamy is the principal form of marriage in the country. Area 236,800 sq km (91,400 sq miles) Major languages Lao, French. [59], In 1993 the Laos government set aside 21% of the nation's land area for habitat conservation preservation. 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. Calculating U.S. Patuxay, Vientiane Laos, Sunrise in the morning at at Patuxai. [70] Laos was admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July 1997 and acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2016. 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. [154] Healthy life expectancy was 54 years in 2007. Laos's first expressway, the VientianeBoten Expressway, parallels both Route 13 and the BotenVientiane railway; the first section from Vientiane to Vang Vieng was opened in 2020, with other sections under construction. Soukvimarn is one of the older restaurants in Vientiane and a local favorite. 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. [46], The official and majority language is Lao, a language of the Tai-Kadai language family. The area was originally settled because of the fertility of the surrounding alluvial plains, and Vientiane became the capital city of Laos around the mid 16th century. [182] Its national football team is a member of the Asian Football Confederation and of the ASEAN Football Federation. [129], In 2018, the country ranked 139th on the Human Development Index (HDI), indicating medium development. 783.322 c phiu cn li tip tc c FPT Capital . [citation needed], The Lao government controls all media channels to prevent critique of its actions. Vientiane was a Khmer (remember Cambodia?) Vientiane has been the capital since 16th century. Life expectancy 65 years (men), 68 years (women) Currency kip . Laos Capital City, Vientiane. The nation's most important government buildings, ministries, departments and foreign embassies are located in Vientiane. [1] These earliest human migrants are Australo-Melanesians associated with the Hoabinhian cultureand have populated the highlands . [147] Ten percent belong to other "lowland" groups, which together with the Lao people make up the Lao Loum (lowland people). Laos does not have a well-developed capital market, although government policies increasingly support the formation of capital and free flow of financial resources. [27] Burial jars and other kinds of sepulchers suggest a complex society in which bronze objects appeared around 1500 BC, and iron tools were known from 700 BC. Muay Lao is an ancient martial art practiced throughout Laos, but mainly in the capital of Vientiane. [124] Laos may have the greatest number of rice varieties in the Greater Mekong Subregion. [149], Hill people and minority cultures of Laos such as the Hmong, Yao (Mien) (Hmong-Mien), Dao, Shan, and several Tibeto-Burman speaking peoples have lived in isolated regions of Laos for many years. One of the most problematic economic sectors in Laos is transport. Although some accusations of forced repatriation were denied,[82] thousands of Hmong people refused to return to Laos. Its first railway line, a short 3-km long metre-gauge railway that connects southern Vientiane to Thailand, only opened in 2009. . The restaurant serves a variety of local delicacies, such as Khao piak sen (a rice noodle soup), mok lao (an exotic coconut curry), and of course, Lao sausage. [140], Laos has made particularly noteworthy progress increasing access to sanitation. [79], In 1993, Vue Mai, a former Hmong soldier and leader of the largest Hmong refugee camp in Thailand, who had been recruited by the USEmbassy in Bangkok to return to Laos as proof of the repatriation programme's success, disappeared in Vientiane. Capital: Vientiane. [175] Lao citizens who have criticised the government have been subjected to enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and torture. Lao Soung account for about 10% of the population. The Lao League is the top professional league for association football clubs in the country. [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. Pakse. 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