Culture of Laos to connect Lao peoples on both the right and left banks. However, the political history of Laos has been complicated by frequent warfare and colonial conquests by European and regional rivals. As a result, Laos today has cultural influence from France, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Burma and Cambodia. The history of Laos is unique with a national character defined by its diversity in both culture and customs. , Laos has an estimated population of 6.5 million. The Lao government recognizes 47 distinct ethnicities, which are further sub-divided into 149 subgroups. Lao society is traditionally categorized into three broad groups based on
Laos–Malaysia relations investor after Vietnam with a total investment of $430 million. In 2017, the two countries establish a joint committee on science, technology and innovation (STI) co-operation, with Malaysian companies are encouraged to invest more in Laos. Laos–Malaysia relations Laos–Malaysia relations ( ; ; ; Jawi: هوبوڠن لاوس–مليسيا) are foreign relations between Laos and Malaysia. Both countries are the members of ASEAN. During the collapse of the Communist Bloc, the Soviet Union could no longer afford aid for the development of Laos. This made Laos seek aid from other countries to help develop their country and has led the country to