History of Laos

5th cent. Kha people were first known inhabitants of modern-day Laos.
12th cent. Lao and Tai people inhabited the area and established own principalities.
14th cent. Kingdom of the Million Elephants (Lang Xang) established with its capital at Muong Swa (Luang Prabang). Lao principalities united under Jayavarman Paramesvara, and Theravada Buddhism adopted.
16th cent. Maximum extent of the Lang Xang kingdom. 1637-1694 Reign of Souligna-Vongsa.
1707 End of Lang Xang period, and Laos split into three states: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Champasak.
18th-19th cent. Three states ruled by Siam.
1893 Major towns occupied by French forces; French protectorate established over most Laotian territory.
1904 French rule extended over all of Laos.
WWII Indochina occupied by Japan.
1946 Region reoccupied by French. King of Luang Prabang established as king of unified Laos under French dominion.
1949 Laos declared an independent state within the French Union.
1953 Laos invaded by Vietminh forces and Laotian dissidents (Pathet Lao) from bases in Vietnam.
1954 Indochinese war ended by the Geneva armistice agreement. Pathet Lao forced to withdraw to northern provinces of Laos.
1955 Laos admitted to the UN.
1957 Pathet Lao brought into coalition government. Guerrilla warfare resumed by Pathet Lao on formation of new conservative government in 1958, backed by USSR.
1961 Half of Laos controlled by Pathet Lao. Ceasefire in Laotian civil war brokered by United States, USSR, and other nations.
1962 Provisional government of national union formed from three main Laotian factions, led by Prince Souvanna Phouma.
1965 Breakdown of national government and resumed fighting between the government and Pathet Lao.
1973 Ceasefire announced between Souvanna and Pathet Lao forces; new coalition government established between the two in 1974, dominated by the latter grouping.
1975 Abolition of the Laotian monarchy and proclamation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
1981 Communist rule signalled by introduction of first five-year economic plan; greater free-market economic activity established during the course of the decade.
1991 Office of presidency assumed by Kaysone Phomvihan, previously prime minister.
1992 Death of Kaysone.
1995 American trade embargo, in force for 20 years, lifted.
1997 Laos admitted to ASEAN.
1998 Khamtai Siphandon elected as president; Sisavat Keobounphan appointed as prime minister.

2001 Khamtai Siphandon re-elected for third term as president. Boungnang Volachit replaced Keobounphan as prime minister.