Buddhism in Southeast Asia taught and supported Theravada ideologies. The success of Theravada Buddhism in Burma under the rule of Anawrahta allowed for the later growth of Buddhism in neighboring Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. The influences of the Mon people as well as the Pagan Empire are still felt today throughout the region. Currently, the Southeast Asian countries with the highest amounts of practicing Theravada Buddhists are Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Buddhism has long been characterized by some scholars as an other-worldly religion, that is not rooted in economic and political activity. That is in part due to
Cambodia–Malaysia relations as well. Previously in 2012, one Cambodian maid died after been starved to death by her employer. Since 2011, Cambodia has banned its domestic workers from travelling to Malaysia. The issues led to protest and criticism from various human rights groups in Cambodia who demanded the Cambodian government stop sending domestic workers until Malaysia adhered strictly to human rights, although many Cambodians continued to explore job opportunities, mainly as domestic workers, in the hope of earning more money than they could at their home country. Following negotiation between the two countries government, Cambodia lifted the ban for its workers to