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
1963 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games 1963 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games The 1963 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games was cancelled, as the designated host Cambodia was not able to host the event due to unsettling in-country conditions, and a disagreement with the International Amateur Athletic Federation. The 3rd SEAP Games then passed to Laos as hosts, but they begged off the 1965 event citing financial difficulties and hosted the 2009 Southeast Asian Games decades later. Malaysia stepped in. The 1965 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games was held in Kuala Lumpur with around 1,300 athletes and officials taking part. By then, the SEAP Games Federation had gained another member