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France took territories east of Mekong River into French Indochina via treaty with Thailand.
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Laos gained full independence as a constitutional state.
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The U.S conducted extensive aerial bombardment of Laos trying to destroy North Vietnamese sanctuaries and supply mines on Ho Chi Minh Trail.
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Cease fire agreement in Vientiane divided Laos between communists and royalists.
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King Savang Vatthana of Laos abdicated the throne, the Lao People's Democratic Republic was established as the only political party.
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Laos joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and A financial crisis in Asia decimated the value of Lao kip currency, plunged half its prior value.
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International Monetary Fund approved a loan for 40 million dollars to help strengthen economic stability and reduce poverty.
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Over 400 members of the Hmong ethnic group emerged from jungle hideouts and surrendered to authorities.
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Transparency International ranked Laos as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
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Laos opened its first stock exchange and Laos won approval to join the World Trade Organization.
