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
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