http://countrystudies.us/laos/

http://books.google.com/books?id=W_ychnxUdJcC&pg=PT26&lpg=PT26&dq=laos+leaders+s...

When I visited Laos a few years ago, I thought the country was doing much better and things were less "communist" so the country was opening up to the world. This was mostly due to the collapse of the Soviet Union and globalization due to the internet. However, when I talk to people in Laos, they don't seem to know what happend during the Vietnam war and in general, Laos history. It seems to me like they have been taught another version of history that I am not familiar with. Most of the Laos children that have grown up in US/Canada don't understand why they don't live in Laos. They believe that their parents "decided" to come here to the west. This is dead wrong. If we did not leave Laos around 1975, we would have all been killed by communist lao/viet. If you don't believe me, then take a look at the killing fields in Cambodia just next to Laos.
The only disease to the country are the people who kill their own people. I know that Laos people were taught that the US killed them, think for yourself, the US tried to stop communisim.

http://www.cybercambodia.com/dachs/killing.html

I know that the communist gov't in Laos has re-educated people in Laos to hate the Laos people who have escaped to US/Canada but we Laos people in the west do not hate one another nor do we hate or look down upon Laos people in Laos, we only wish to help them but we can't because of these political issues. I only hope that you "educated" Laos youths seek out the truth for yourselves.

I am proud to be Lao but when I see Laos people hating each other, it only reminds me why there were so many wars in Laos and why it's still one of the poorest in the world

http://www.unohrlls.org/en/ldc/relate

It seems like defamation is the norm in asian countries. If you can't beat them, then just talk bad about them and ruin their reputation, who cares about the truth anymore.

It looks like I have a "lack of knowledge" even with my degree's and experience. Perhaps someone can enlighten me on the subject matter from their extensive education.

So Laos didn't want to be ruled by the western countries anymore so they let the soviet union rule them instead since that is where most of them were educated from. And we let the vietnamese control us like puppets. And Laos killed it's own king so that this could be achieved. So 35 years later I am still waiting to see this independence.

"France doesn't control Laos anymore"

That's because the vietnamese control Laos now and the Chinese are going to over run the country soon. Why is Laos and Thailand so different after 30 years yet they are right next to each other. Look at North and South Korea, that is just like Laos and Thailand, one is communist while the other is not, hmmm.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7329928.stm
http://laos.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_chinese_in_laos

I was actually there 30 years ago since I am now 33 years old.

http://www.laos.co.uk/King.html
http://www.orientexpat.com/forum/8134-a-lao-dissident-shot-dead-in-ubon/page__s_...

First of all: Sabaileee Kon lao tuu tuu kon.

"Re-education" this word is misused. it should been "Jail times or Pay back times". Every time I run cross to see this word, it made me to be a different person During 1978-79 I was at Don Thao.I was 18yrs.
Young and wild just like a young kids this day.I still could not understood that much why the Communist Laos had to did this way to their own people. Poeple don't belong to state.Most of human living in this planet like to be freeeeee. Issaac want Laos to be Independence(I agree).Most Lao ppl don't like France,or USA that much and also alot of our ppl (including U and I) don't like Vietnamese at all,to Chinese seem to be Ok.But why now is all Vietnameses? I am 1000% Lao, born and raised at Ban That Laung,VT.You may calling me a traitor or Patikan(I left, Free at last and Free forever) I don't belong to the state.
Seem to me the current leaders don't really know what is [b]INDEPENDENCE meaning?." FREE FROM ALL". we should not belong to NOBODY.
They should not sent our ppl to Re-education Camp in the first place.We all Lao.Lao should have the dignity of mankind.If Viet does we should not follow them.Lao should be Lao.( Haw kon Lao bor mand kon Keov)=we are laotian not Vietnamese.

Ps.Thax Buk H K, Adm and ....tuu tuu Kon lao der

If you are living in the communist countries you will not be free; you are belong to the state.

If you are Lao+Viet(keow). I don't have anything against you OK. I do understand about them(Keow). Same as my life right now.

I am homesick, I want to go home........
I have no money, I am worthless laotian refugee and I'm also ex-patikan. I'm poor and broke. All of these, do you think the Laos Govt are willing to accepting me to be their citizen as Laotian?

90% too hight, maybe 20% would be close. you maybe right and wrong. One way ticket (NO )have to be Two way tikets(round trip).

" when u die u will take nothing" that's truth. But while u alive you need to take somethings with you to where you are going. Especially,if you are from the US,you don't want your friends,relatives to look down on you, I can't go home with the empty pocket.

Do you know alot of us living in the US, they've felt that ways.
There are many of us didn't succeeded in life and feeling guity to themselves and keep it insight. lives is not easy in America.

Please do not try to come over here OK, unless you are rich......
If you're poor + lazy, your ass is going to be homeless...believe me

You're right again (right on the money)and thank you very much with your advice. Maybe when I got there I might go hang out with you would be better, like U just said.It that can be possible(). If can be I will buy my ticket tomorrow.

I am "Kon" Lao  ( not Farang, not Keow )

Chao kid vaa jung dai. koy som kuan pai ban yu bor? bork hai koy hu dair?

I really like the way you handing these ABL(American born Laos) Thinking they know every things.

I am quite happy what happen over 35 year ago, I was only 14 then. I didn't know why we have to leave Laos. all I know wss that I was so happy with my friends at school. but day after day, most of my friend is missing from school and my neighbor also missing and I saw Vientiane are turning to be a ghost town the street is so quite. My parent was thinking that all of them had been taking away by the Red-Army at the time. I also hear one of my best friend has been shoot and kill by the red-army while he try to swim across the River. not until we have cross over the river and saw him alive and well in Nongkhai Refugee Camp.
Most of the people got sent to Re-education camp other in the Old army,Police force and high rank Public servant. Most of these people are the most corrupted any way. About the loyal Family in Laos. They have done nothing to improve Laos people life anyway. They also very Corrupted too. My father is in Business and he have to pay these people each month just to get them off his back!(he is in a Grocery  store business)
That why The red army won the War and the heart of the majority at the time.
I'm happy because of the red-army make my family to leave Laos at time.because of them, I did get the chance to live,study and work aboard. because of them make my life Changed  180 decree.

3 year doing nothing in the camp just pay foot-ball and learning English being bashed by the Thai army when they feel like it. 
Studied the best education While Working full time.

I do thank you for that! because with out them, I would be able to be came who I am!