Literature of Laos families: Lao-Tai (Tai-Kadai); Mon-Khmer (Austroasiatic); Hmong-Mien (Miao-Yao), and Sino-Tibetan (primarily Tibeto-Burman). As an inland crossroads of Southeast Asia 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. Traditionally literature is held high regard in Lao society. Lao literature spans a wide range of genres including religious, philosophy, prose, epic or lyric poetry, histories, traditional law and customs, folklore, astrology, rituals, grammar and lexicography, dramas, romances, comedies, and non-fiction. Lao thematic elements frequently combine the
Cambodia at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games Cambodia at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games Cambodia competed in the 2009 Southeast Asian Games athletics tournament, winning three gold medals and 40 medals in total. Cambodia only announced the formation of its National Team Organizing Committee for the SEA Games in mid-October 2009, less than two months ahead of the start of the Games in Vientiane, Laos. The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) assigned its Vice President Bun Sok to chair this committee. This committee was made up of representatives of various Olympic sports federations and was responsible for final screening and selection of athletes to represent Cambodia