History of Laos in Timeline

Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordering Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Its capital and largest city is Vientiane, and the population is around eight million. The country features mountainous terrain, Buddhist temples like Luang Prabang (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and French colonial architecture.

1940: French citizens residing in Laos

By 1940, approximately 600 French citizens lived in Laos, while Laos's exports accounted for no more than 1% of French Indochina's total.

1943: Growth of Vietnamese population

By 1943, the Vietnamese population in Laos had grown to nearly 40,000, forming the majority in some cities and gaining the right to elect their own leaders.

March 1945: Laos declares independence

On March 9, 1945, a nationalist group declared Laos independent with Luang Prabang as its capital.

April 1945: Japanese troops occupy Luang Prabang

On April 7, 1945, two battalions of Japanese troops occupied Luang Prabang, and on April 8 King Sisavang Vong declared an end to Laos's status as a French protectorate.

1945: Laos gains independence

In 1945, Laos gained independence during World War II, only to return to French administration shortly after.

1945: French plan to relocate Vietnamese population

In 1945, the French devised a plan to relocate a number of Vietnamese people to the Vientiane Plain, Savannakhet region and Bolaven Plateau; however, the plan was disrupted due to the Japanese invasion of Indochina.

1946: French troops reoccupy Laos

By 1946, French troops had reoccupied Laos and conferred autonomy on the country.

May 1947: First French-written constitution

On May 11, 1947, Laos's first French-written and monarchical constitution was promulgated, declaring Laos an independent state within the French Union.

1949: Laos achieves autonomy

In 1949, Laos achieved autonomy before regaining full independence.

1950: France gives Laos semi-autonomy

In 1950, France was compelled to grant Laos semi-autonomy as an "associated state" within the French Union due to the war against French colonial forces by the Pathet Lao.

October 1953: Laos gains full independence

On October 22, 1953, Laos gained full independence as a constitutional monarchy, though France remained in control de facto until then.

1953: Laos regains full independence

In 1953, Laos regained full independence as the Kingdom of Laos, establishing a constitutional monarchy under Sisavang Vong.

1954: Geneva Conference

In 1954, the Geneva Conference resulted in a peace accord for Laos following the First Indochina War and French defeat.

May 1957: Revised constitution of Laos

On May 11, 1957, a revised constitution of Laos omitted reference to the French Union, while educational, health and technical ties with the former colonial power persisted.

1958: North Vietnam invades Laos

Since 1958, parts of Laos were invaded and occupied by North Vietnam for use as a supply route in its war against South Vietnam, leading to Laos's involvement in the Vietnam War.

1959: Start of Laotian Civil War

In 1959, the Laotian Civil War began, pitting the communist Pathet Lao against the Royal Lao Armed Forces.

1960: Fighting breaks out in Laos

In 1960, fighting erupted in the Kingdom of Laos between the Royal Lao Army and the communist Pathet Lao guerillas.

1962: Formation of a second Provisional Government of National Unity

In 1962, Prince Souvanna Phouma formed a second Provisional Government of National Unity, but it was unsuccessful, leading to civil war.

1964: Start of US bombing campaign

In 1964, the United States initiated a bombing campaign against PAVN/Pathet Lao forces to prevent the collapse of the Kingdom of Laos and to disrupt the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

1973: End of US bombing campaign

By 1973, the US had dropped 2 million tons of bombs on Laos, making it the most heavily bombed country in history relative to its population.

December 1975: Hostile posture toward the West

After the takeover by the Pathet Lao in December 1975, Laos's foreign relations were characterized by a hostile posture toward the West, with the country aligning itself with the Soviet Bloc.

December 1975: 1957 constitution is abrogated

In December 1975, the 1957 constitution was abrogated when a communist people's republic was proclaimed.

December 1975: Laos renamed Lao People's Democratic Republic

In December 1975, the Pathet Lao government renamed the country as the Lao People's Democratic Republic and signed agreements granting Vietnam rights to station armed forces and appoint advisers.

December 1975: King Savang Vatthana abdicates

In December 1975, the Pathet Lao overthrew the royalist government, forcing King Savang Vatthana to abdicate.

1975: Conflict continues after Pathet Lao takeover

After the Pathet Lao took over the country in 1975, the conflict with some Hmong groups continued in isolated pockets.

1975: Resettlement of Lao refugees begins

From 1975, the United States resettled some Lao refugees from Thailand.

1975: Establishment of Lao People's Democratic Republic

In 1975, the Lao People's Democratic Republic was established, marking the end of the civil war and the beginning of a one-party socialist state.

1977: Communist newspaper threatens American collaborators

In 1977, a communist newspaper promised that the party would hunt down the "American collaborators" and their families "to the last root".

1977: Treaty signed between Laos and Vietnam

In 1977, a treaty was signed between Laos and Vietnam, providing direction for Lao foreign policy and Vietnamese involvement in Lao political and economic life.

1979: Vietnam requests Laos to end relations with China

In 1979, Vietnam requested Laos to end relations with the People's Republic of China, leading to trade isolation by China, the United States, and other countries; there were 50,000 PAVN troops stationed in Laos.

1983: First post-monarchy feature film

In 1983, Gun Voice from the Plain of Jars directed by Somchith Pholsena became the first feature-length film made in Laos after the monarchy was abolished, but its release was prevented by a censorship board.

1989: Comprehensive Plan of Action instituted

In 1989, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) instituted the Comprehensive Plan of Action with US support to manage Indochinese refugees from Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The plan involved refugee status evaluations, resettlement for recognized asylum seekers, and repatriation with safety guarantees for others. Laos agreed to repatriate 60,000 refugees from Thailand, including Hmong people, and while some returned voluntarily, allegations of forced repatriation arose.

1989: Chinese Investment in Laos

Since 1989, China has invested US$5.395 billion in the Laotian economy, making it the biggest foreign investor. According to the Laos Ministry of Planning and Investment's 1989–2014 report, Thailand and Vietnam are the second and third largest investors respectively.

1990: Access to sanitation in rural areas

In 1990, 8% of the rural population in Laos had access to improved sanitation.

1990: Tourism sector growth

In 1990, the tourism sector in Laos saw 80,000 international visitors.

1991: Adoption of a new constitution

In 1991, Laos adopted a constitution that enshrined a "leading role" for the LPRP.

1991: Constitution of Laos Promulgated

In 1991, the Constitution of Laos was promulgated, containing safeguards for human rights such as equality between ethnic groups, gender equality, freedom of religion, speech, and the press.

1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union

In 1991, the Soviet Union dissolved, impacting the Lao People's Democratic Republic, which had been aligned with it.

1993: Vue Mai disappears in Vientiane

In 1993, Vue Mai, a former Hmong soldier recruited by the US Embassy in Bangkok to return to Laos as evidence of successful repatriation efforts, disappeared in Vientiane. The US Committee for Refugees suggested he was arrested by Lao security forces and never seen again, intensifying debate over Hmong repatriation.

1993: Laos sets aside land area for conservation

In 1993, the Laos government designated 21% of the nation's land area for habitat conservation preservation.

October 1995: National Review article labels Hmong repatriation a "betrayal"

In October 1995, Michael Johns published an article in the National Review calling the Hmong repatriation a "betrayal" by the Clinton administration. He described the Hmong people as having "spilled their blood in defence of American geopolitical interests".

1995: Access to sanitation in rural areas

In 1995, the access to improved sanitation in rural areas of Laos had risen to 10%.

1996: US resettlement of Lao refugees ends

By 1996, the United States had resettled some 250,000 Lao refugees from Thailand, including 130,000 Hmong, since 1975.

1996: US agrees to resettle Hmong refugees

In 1996, as the deadline for the closure of Thai refugee camps neared and under rising political pressure, the United States committed to resettling Hmong refugees who passed the screening process. Approximately 5,000 Hmong sought asylum at Wat Tham Krabok, where the Thai government threatened repatriation, and the Lao government refused to accept them.

July 1997: Laos admitted into ASEAN

In July 1997, Laos was admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

2003: Remnant of Hmong fighters emerge from the jungle

In 2003, a remnant of Hmong fighters emerged from the jungle in Xiangkhouang Province, after hiding out in the mountains for years.

2003: Constitution of Laos Amended

In 2003, the Constitution of Laos, which was originally promulgated in 1991, was amended. The details of the amendments were not specified.

2003: US agrees to accept 15,000 Hmong refugees

In 2003, the United States agreed to accept 15,000 Hmong refugees from Wat Tham Krabok in Thailand following threats of forcible removal by the Thai government. Many other Hmong people, fearing forced repatriation to Laos, fled the camp.

November 2004: Trade relations with the United States normalized

In November 2004, trade relations between Laos and the United States were normalized through Congress-approved legislation.

2004: Net primary enrollment rate

In 2004, the net primary enrollment rate in Laos was 84%.

2004: Thousands of Hmong flee to refugee camp

In 2004, thousands of Hmong fled from the jungles of Laos to a temporary refugee camp in the Thai province of Phetchabun, seeking refuge.

2005: Laos attended inaugural East Asia Summit

In 2005, Laos attended the inaugural East Asia Summit.

2005: Hmong refugees in Phetchabun

In 2005, the situation of Hmong refugees remained dire as thousands continued to reside in a temporary refugee camp in the Thai province of Phetchabun, facing uncertain futures.

May 2006: Rebecca Sommer submits refugee claim summaries to the UN

In May 2006, filmmaker Rebecca Sommer submitted a report including summaries of refugee claims to the UN, supporting earlier claims that the government of Laos was persecuting the Hmong people.

2006: Government expenditure on health

In 2006, the government expenditure on health in Laos was about 4% of GDP, which was approximately US$18 (PPP).

2006: Opium Poppy Cultivation area

In 2006, the poppy cultivation area was 18 square kilometres (6.9 sq mi).

October 2007: UNODC report on Opium Poppy Cultivation

According to the October 2007 UNODC fact book, the poppy cultivation area was 15 square kilometres (5.8 sq mi), which decreased from 18 square kilometres (6.9 sq mi) in 2006.

2007: Healthy life expectancy

In 2007, the healthy life expectancy in Laos was 54 years.

2008: Access to sanitation in rural areas

By 2008, 38% of the rural population of Laos had access to improved sanitation. It is estimated that between 1995 and 2008, approximately 1,232,900 more people gained access to improved sanitation in rural areas.

2008: Commercial feature-length film

In 2008, Sabaidee Luang Prabang was released as a commercial feature-length film in Laos.

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September 2009: Laos ratifies International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

In September 2009, Laos ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, nine years after initially signing the treaty.

2009: First railway line opens

In 2009, Laos's first railway line, a 3-km long metre-gauge railway connecting southern Vientiane to Thailand, was opened.

2009: Discovery of human skull

In 2009, a human skull was recovered from Tam Pa Ling Cave in Laos, dating back at least 46,000 years, making it the oldest modern human fossil found in Southeast Asia.

2009: US lifts bans on Laotian companies

In 2009, the Obama administration declared Laos was no longer a Marxist–Leninist state and lifted bans on Laotian companies receiving financing from the US Export-Import Bank.

2009: Laos's GDP Growth

Since 2009, Laos has experienced an average annual GDP growth of 7.4%, driven by tourism, energy exports, and foreign investment.

November 2010: First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions

In November 2010, Laos hosted the First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, advocating for the ban of these weapons due to the impact of cluster bombs during the war.

2010: Tourism sector growth

In 2010, Laos saw 1.876 million international visitors, with tourism expected to rise to US$1.5857 billion by 2020, and 1 in every 11 jobs were in the tourism sector. Export earnings from visitors and tourism goods were projected to generate 16% of total exports or US$270.3 million in 2010.

2010: French speakers in Laos

In 2010, it was estimated that there were 173,800 French speakers in Laos.

2010: Religious demographics in Laos

In 2010, the religious affiliations of Laotians were as follows: 66% Theravada Buddhist, 1.5% Christian, 0.1% Muslim, 0.1% Jewish, and 32.3% other or traditional (mostly practitioners of Satsana Phi).

2012: Irrigated land in Laos

In 2012, irrigated areas accounted for 28% of the total area under cultivation, representing 12% of all agricultural land in Laos.

2013: The Rocket at Melbourne International Film Festival

In 2013, Kim Mordount's film "The Rocket," made in Laos with a Laotian cast, appeared at the Melbourne International Film Festival and also won three awards at the Berlin International Film Festival.

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2013: Laos named "World Best Tourist Destination"

In 2013, The European Council on Trade and Tourism awarded Laos the "World Best Tourist Destination" designation for its architecture and history.

2014: Chinese investment in Laos

According to the Laos Ministry of Planning and Investment's 1989–2014 report, China has invested US$5.395 billion in the Laotian economy since 1989, making it the biggest foreign investor.

2014: Laos meets Millennium Development Goal targets

According to the World Bank data conducted in 2014, Laos has met the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets on water and sanitation regarding the UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme.

2016: China becomes biggest foreign investor in Laos

In 2016, China was the biggest foreign investor in the Laotian economy, having invested US$5.395 billion since 1989, as stated in the Laos Ministry of Planning and Investment's report.

2016: Laos acceded to the World Trade Organization

In 2016, Laos acceded to the World Trade Organization.

2016: Laos classified as an "authoritarian regime"

In 2016, The Economist's Democracy Index classified Laos as an "authoritarian regime", ranking it lowest among the 9 ASEAN nations included in the study.

September 2017: Laos submits 'Dearest Sister' to Oscars

In September 2017, Laos submitted Dearest Sister (Lao: ນ້ອງຮັກ), Mattie Do's second feature film, to the 90th Academy Awards for consideration for Best Foreign Language Film, marking the country's first submission for the Oscars.

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2017: Beerlao exported worldwide

In 2017, Beerlao, a product of the Lao Brewery Company, was exported to more than 20 countries worldwide.

2017: Life expectancy

In 2017, male life expectancy at birth in Laos was 62.6 years, and female life expectancy was 66.7 years.

2017: Blood Road documentary

In 2017, the documentary feature film Blood Road was predominantly shot and produced in Laos with assistance from the Lao government.

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2018: Number of film theaters

As of 2018, Laos has three theatres dedicated to showing films.

2018: Lack of access to water and sanitation

As of 2018, approximately 1.9 million of Lao's population did not have access to an improved water supply, and 2.4 million people lacked access to improved sanitation.

2018: Laos's Human Development Index and Global Hunger Index

In 2018, Laos ranked 139th on the Human Development Index (HDI), indicating medium development, and 36th on the Global Hunger Index out of 52 nations with the worst hunger situations.

2018: Blood Road wins Emmy Award

In 2018, the documentary feature film Blood Road, which was predominantly shot and produced in Laos, was recognized with a News and Documentary Emmy Award.

2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index score of Laos

In 2019, Laos had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 5.59/10, ranking it 98th globally out of 172 countries.

2019: UN Special Rapporteur visit to Laos

In 2019, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights conducted an official visit to Laos and found that the country's top-down approach to economic growth and poverty alleviation was often counterproductive.

2020: Projected tourism earnings

In 2020, it was projected that export earnings from international visitors and tourism goods would generate US$484.2 million (12.5% of the total).

January 2021: Thongloun Sisoulith becomes General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party

Since January 2021, Thongloun Sisoulith has been General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, making him the de facto leader of Laos.

March 2021: Thongloun Sisoulith becomes head of state

As of 22 March 2021, the head of state is President Thongloun Sisoulith.

December 2021: Boten-Vientiane railway opens

In December 2021, the 414-km long Boten–Vientiane railway, part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, opened, connecting Vientiane to Boten at the northern border with China.

December 2021: Opening of the Boten–Vientiane railway

On December 3, 2021, the 422-kilometre Boten–Vientiane railway, a flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), was opened.

2021: Laos relies on fossil fuels

As of 2021, Laos continues to rely on fossil fuels, and in particular coal, in domestic electricity production.

2021: Completion of the Laos-China Railway

In 2021, the Laos-China Railway, connecting Vientiane to Kunming, was completed, enhancing trade and tourism accessibility.

2024: Global Innovation Index ranking

In 2024, Laos was ranked 111st in the Global Innovation Index.

2024: Population of Laos

In 2024, the estimated population of Laos is 7,953,556, comprising 3,966,320 males and 3,987,236 females, making it the 103rd most populous country in the world, according to The World Factbook.