Yep it's pretty accurate.  Being in the same room can lead to premarital sex which is not tolerated.  I wish we could enforce this law in the US.  Maybe we could cut down on the teen pregnancies and divorce rates.  As for Marriage, the waiting time and paperwork could take up to possibly 1-2 years.  It's a pain in the ass waiting to be with your spouse.  As long as the both of you are communicating on a daily or weekly basis, time flies.  

If you hire a cleaning lady, etc.. that would be considered employment.  When you employ someone be sure it's documented (application and permits).  Keep all documents in a secure place whenever an incident occur.  In Laos, i wouldn't worry too much tewada.  People there are very traditional/cultural.  In other words, many have respect toward foreigners. 

In America we take girls out, it's okay regardless of what her parents say.  But, if you want a relationship with a Lao/Asia girl I would suggest you get to know her and her family first before you decide to jump the gun.  Lao/Asian families are very strict, in a sense they can lie and put you in a place and nothing you can do about it.  I don't want to see you in this difficult situation.  So, be careful.

tewada wrote on 22^nd Mar, 2010 at 9:25am:


If you are a foreigner they assume you are loaded $$$. I'm sure you don't need any sort of documents if you know them or trust them well enough to do the cleaning in a professional manner.  It's better to be safe then sorry.   I know I got blackmailed once by these motel clerks,  they held onto my passport and demanded I pay 3 nights worth when I actually stayed 2.  Of course, I didn't care about anything else, I paid them a measly $40 to obtain my passport.  But, before I left I gave these 2 gentlemen a good lecture.  LOL

I'm so surprise that admin didn't make any comment regarding this topic.  Maybe she is too busy driving her new BMW around town picking up guys. LOL

There's no need to be paranoid about it.  As long as you are following their laws and using common sense on who you interact with and what your intentions are you should be okay.  The incident that happened to me was just a one time experience.  But overall, I did enjoy my vacation there and I plan on going back in the near future.  

The country you need to be concern about is Thailand (theft and prostitution).  Laos is very peaceful.

Buk IIWJ, Sorry, I've been busy with visitors from Thailand. Took them out in my BM, a late night out, been sleeping like a baby.

Tewada, All hotels, guesthouses and apartments have their own cleaners, so there is no need for people to hire their own private cleaners.

If you stay with your girlfriend and her family in their homes then there is no problem, however if you are a foreigner (especially a westerner) and you stay with her elsewhere then it may be a problem if you aren't married.

Just respect the law in Laos and your stay will be enjoyable.

tewada wrote on 23^rd Mar, 2010 at 7:22am:


You are right about that.  Living in Laos can be difficult, especially if you don't know the language, tradition and culture well enough.  The only way you can be normal there if you have close ties with family members or friends that live there.  When things get ugly you can turn to them for help.   Other then that, you are on your own. I don't mean to frighten you with all my posts, but, it's reality.