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History And Government

Although written evidence reveals that societies existed in the 9th century, archaeological discoveries suggest that Laos has been inhabited for thousands of years, making it an ancient nation in the region and the world.

Laos has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Archaeological excavations suggest the existence of structured societies before the Common Era. Archaeologists have found several finely crafted stone objects at various sites. In Xieng Khoang province, there are megalithic sites with giant monolithic jars dating back to the first half of the 1st millennium BCE. In Houaphan province, there are fields of menhirs and cromlechs. The most elaborate bronze drums have been found in Laos.

Primitive society was primarily feudal and agriculture-based. Before the advent of Buddhism in the 14th century, the inhabitants practiced worship of Shiva and adopted animistic beliefs. Laos was governed by a series of neighboring kingdoms (such as the Chams in central Vietnam, the Khmers, and the Thais).

In 1353, Lao prince Fa Ngum founded the Kingdom of Lan Xang Hom Khao, which evolved into a prosperous nation despite internal conflicts and invasions by foreign aggressors at various times in its history. In the 19th century, Laos was under Siamese control before becoming a French colony in 1893.

During World War II, France collapsed, and Laos was controlled by Japanese forces. Laos declared independence in 1950. Modern history saw Laos achieve full independence in 1954, followed by years of political instability and civil conflict exacerbated by the Vietnam War. The country was divided between the South, which was pro-Western and had a pro-American royal government supported by the use of Hmong people by US Special Forces and the CIA, and the North, led by the Pathet Lao, which was communist.

In 1975, the king abdicated in favor of the establishment of a president and prime minister, and Laos became a communist state. From 1986, the government implemented new economic mechanisms. In the 1990s, Laos became a full member of ASEAN, and foreign countries lifted their commercial embargoes.

Prehistoric: 353 Bronze Age, Dong Son culture There is no written history; several archaeological sites remain. During the 1st millennium AD, the Chams, originating from a Hindu kingdom in central Vietnam, occupied the south of the country. They gave their name to Champassak ("fields of Bassak").

900 – 12th century: Laos was displaced by the Khmers. In the 12th century, the kingdom of Khmer King Jayavarman VII extended to the Vientiane region.

11th century: Tai warrior tribes, pushed southward by Mongol invasions, infiltrated through Dien Bien Phu and the valleys of Nam Ou and Nam Song. They occupied Laos and northern Thailand. The existence of a Lao kingdom around Luang Prabang is attested in a Siamese inscription from 1292.

From 1353 to 1373, Lao prince Fa Ngum founded the Kingdom of Lan Xang Hom Khao. He established Theravada Buddhism as the kingdom's religion. The kingdom extended widely into present-day northern Thailand and northwestern Vietnam.

1373-1563: These centuries were marked by several wars against the Burmese and Vietnamese, and at times, Laos had to accept suzerainty. 1540: Vientiane was founded by King Photisarath (1501-1547).

1563: The capital of the kingdom was moved from Luang Prabang to Vientiane to distance itself from Burmese threats.

1637: A period of prosperity under King Souligna Vongsa.

Early 18th century: Internal conflicts divided Lan Xang into three regions: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Champassak (Pakse).

1768: Siam annexed Vientiane and Champassak. Luang Prabang maintained Lao sovereignty.

1893: French colony. French presence was mainly administrative, leaving the king on the throne.

1950: Declaration of independence.

1954: Recognition of full independence.

1945-1975: Years of political instability and civil conflict exacerbated by the Vietnam War. The country was divided between the South and the North.

1973: A new government of national unity was established.

1975: The king abdicated in favor of the installation of a president and prime minister, and Laos became a communist state.

1986: The government implemented the New Economic Mechanism.

1990s: Laos became a full member of ASEAN, and foreign countries lifted their commercial embargoes.

2013: Laos joined the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Political Regime of Laos Laos is a socialist republic governed by the single-party Marxist-Leninist Laos People's Revolutionary Party. The political regime is determined by the 1991 Constitution. The Secretary-General also serves as the head of state. The President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic is elected by the National Assembly for a term of 5 years.

The National Assembly consists of 115 members elected for 5-year terms. Deputies are elected by direct, universal suffrage and secret ballot. The National Assembly is the highest representative body and exercises legislative power, adopting the Constitution, laws, making decisions on fundamental matters of national interest, and overseeing the acts and work of executive bodies, people's courts, and people's prosecutors.

People's courts are the judicial organs of the state and have jurisdiction over violations of the law, including measures taken by executive bodies that infringe on the rights and dignity of citizens. People's courts consist of the People's Supreme Court, regional people's courts, provincial people's courts, district people's courts, and military courts. If necessary, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly may decide to establish an extraordinary jurisdiction. The People's Supreme Court administers people's courts at all levels and reviews judgments rendered. The People's Public Prosecutor's Office consists of the People's Attorney General, regional people's attorneys general, provincial people's attorneys general, district people's attorneys general, and military prosecutors. The Office of the People's Attorney General is the state body empowered to ensure the correct and uniform application of laws and regulations by all ministries, government-affiliated agencies, services attached to the Government, the Lao Front for National Construction, mass organizations, social organizations, local administrations, enterprises, officials, and citizens. It also exercises public action. Mediation groups have been established in villages to settle disputes among villagers, thereby reducing the number of cases brought to court. A village mediation group consists of the village chief, a member responsible for village security, each member of the Village Front, the Youth Union, and the Women's Union. This system serves as an informal judicial body responsible for settling minor disputes. The Lao PDR has a mixed system combining civil law and socialist law traditions with a predominance of civil law.