Lao People's Democratic Republic History Timeline
- (800 - 1324) Khmer Empire ruled present-day Laos and Cambodia
- (1353) Luang Prabang, the royal capital and a center for Buddhism and arts was founded,
- (1400s) Khmer Empire declined due to invasions from Thailand
- (1700s) Thailand established control over much of Laos, divided region into three states, Luang Prabang in the north, Vientiane in the center, Champassak in the south
- (1828) Vientiane Lao rebelled, were defeated and area was incorporated into Siam
- (1893) France absorbed territories east of Mekong River into French Indochina via treaty with Thailand
- (1904) Franco-Siam treaty allowed France to annex territories east and west of Mekong River
- (1907) Franco-Siam treaty was completed, France gained territorial control
- (1941) Japan invaded Laos
- (1945) French rule over Laos reestablished
- (1950) Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos became independent states in French Union
- (1951) Prince Souvanna Phouma became prime minister
- (1953) Viet Minh invaded Laos
- (1953) Northern Laos evacuated by French troops
- (1954) Laos gained full independence as a constitutional monarchy
- (1954) Civil war began between royalists and Pathet Lao Communist group
- (1954) SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) was created to stop the spread of Communism in southeast Asia
- (1954) Prime Minister Souvanna resigned, formed government with Pathet Lao Communist group
- (1960) U.S. conducted extensive aerial bombardment of Laos trying to destroy North Vietnamese sanctuaries and supply mines on Ho Chi Minh Trail
- (1960) Government of Laos fled to Cambodia as capital city of Vientiane was at war
- (1960) Rightest government established under Prince Boun Oum
- (1961) U.S. increased military aid, technicians' support
- (1961 - 1973) U.S.' CIA backed secret army in Laos to help fight Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese; over 50,000 Hmong civilians died
- (1962) U.S. Marines arrived in Laos
- (1962) Geneva Conference forbade U.S. to invade eastern Laos
- (1964 - 1973) U.S. warplanes dropped estimated 2.3 million tons of bombs during 580,000 bombing missions over Laos
- (1971) North Vietnamese troops captured Plain of Jars
- (1973) Cease fire agreement in Vientiane divided Laos between communists and royalists
- (1974) American forces left Laos
- (1975) Communists took control of administration of Vientiane City
- (1975) King Savang Vatthana of Laos abdicated throne, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) was established as the only political party
- (1975) Kaysone Phomvihane became prime minister
- (1975) Over a third of the Hmong population left Laos
- (1975) "Socialist Transformation" of economy launched
- (1979) Government forced to change approach as food shortages caused hundreds of thousands to flee to Thailand
- (1979) Agricultural private enterprise was permitted
- (1986) Market-oriented reforms were introduced
- (1989) First elections held since 1975, Communists retained power
- (1989) Laos opened to foreign tourism for first time since 1975
- (1991) Thailand and Laos signed security and cooperation pact
- (1991) New constitution endorsed
- (1991) Kaysone Promvihane became president, Khamtay Siphandon became prime minister
- (1992) President Phomvihane died, Prime Minister Siphandon became head
- (1992) U.S. restored diplomatic ties with Laos
- (1994) Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River linked Thailand and Laos
- (1994) Laos and Vietnam signed bilateral Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation
- (1995) Mekong River Commission created with Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand as the members
- (1995) U.S. lifted 20-year aid embargo
- (1997) Laos joined Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- (1997) Financial crisis in Asia decimated value of Lao kip currency, plunged to half its prior value
- (1998) Khamtay Siphandon became president
- (2000) Bomb attacks hit capital
- (2000) Government began decentralizing; more autonomy, budgetary responsibility given to provinces
- (2001) Khamtay Siphandon reelected president
- (2001) Finance Minister, Bounnyang Vorachit, named prime minister
- (2001) International Monetary Fund approved loan for $40 million to help strengthen economic stability, reduce poverty
- (2001) World Food Programme (WFP) began three-year program to feed about 70,000 malnourished children in Laos
- (2002) Majority of candidates elected in parliamentary elections were from Lao People's Revolutionary Party
- (2003) Fact Finding Commission stated Lao Citizens Movement for Democracy (LCMD) started revolutions in 11 provinces; government dismissed claim
- (2003) LCMD killed three soldiers during clashes, government denied claim
- (2004) Association of South East Asian Nations held in Laos
- (2005) U.S. established Normal Trade Relations
- (2005) World Bank approved financing support for the $1.2 billion Nam Theun Two Dam
- (2006) Choummaly Sayasone elected president
- (2006) H5N1 strain of bird flu killed more than 2,000 on poultry farm
- (2006) Over 400 members of Hmong ethnic group emerged from jungle hideouts, surrendered to authorities
- (2007) Nine people were charged with plotting a coup in Laos who had emigrated to the U.S. by U.S. prosecutors
- (2007) Transparency International ranked Laos as one of the most corrupt countries in the world
- (2008) Laos took steps to join World Trade Organization as full member
- (2009) Rail connection opened over Mekong River, connection Thailand and Laos
- (2009) Thailand sent over 4,000 ethnic Hmong asylum seekers back to Laos
- (2010) Severe drought caused Mekong River to drop to lowest level in 20 years, halted cargo traffic and boat tours
- (2010) Prime Minister Bouphavanh resigned due to "family problems", Thongsing Thammavong, National Assembly President, appointed prime minister
- (2011) Laos opened its first stock exchange
- (2011) Parliament gave President Choummaly an additional five-year term
- (2012) Laos won approval to join World Trade Organization
- (2012) Plans approved for construction of massive dam at Xayaburi on lower Mekong River
- (2013) Flash floods and heavy monsoon rains killed at least 20, washed away roads, damaged crops
Lao People's Democratic Republic's Information

Land Area | 230,800 km2 |
---|---|
Water Area | 6,000 km2 |
Total Area | 236,800km2 (#82) |
Population | 7,019,073 (#103) |
Population Density | 30.41/km2 |
Government Type | Communist State |
GDP (PPP) | $40.96 Billion |
GDP Per Capita | 5,700$ |
Currency | Kip (LAK) |
More Information | Lao People's Democratic Republic |
About Lao People's Democratic Republic
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This page was last updated on April 7, 2017.