Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Myanmar and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and southwest. Its capital and most populous city is Vientiane.
The foreign relations of Laos, internationally designated by its official name as the Lao People's Democratic Republic, after the takeover by the Pathet Lao in December 1975, were characterized by a hostile posture toward the West, with the government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic aligning itself with the Soviet bloc, maintaining close ties with the Soviet Union and depending heavily on the Soviets for most of its foreign assistance. Laos also maintained a "special relationship" with Vietnam and formalized a 1977 treaty of friendship and cooperation that created tensions with China.
The Kingdom of Laos was the form of government in Laos from 1947 to 1975. Located in Southeast Asia at the heart of the Indochinese Peninsula, it was bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, North Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and southwest. The country was governed as a constitutional monarchy beginning with its independence on 22 October 1953. It survived until December 1975, when its last king, Sisavang Vatthana, surrendered the throne to the Pathet Lao during the civil war in Laos, who abolished the monarchy in favour of a Marxist–Leninist state called the Lao People's Democratic Republic, which has controlled Laos ever since.
Phoumi Vongvichit was a leading figure of the Pathet Lao and an elder statesman of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Wattay International Airport is one of the few international airports in Laos and the country's main international gateway, serving the capital Vientiane, located 3 km (1.9 mi) outside of the city centre in Sikhottabong district, Vientiane Prefecture. The airport is operated by the Lao Airport Authority (LAA) and serves as a hub for Lao Skyway, Lao Central Airlines and Lao Airlines. The Lao Air Force also operates an installation at one end of the airport.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government ministry responsible for representing Laos to the international community. The ministry oversees the foreign relations of Laos, maintains diplomatic missions in other countries, and provides visa services.
Healthcare in Laos is provided by both the private and public sector. It is limited in comparison with other countries. Western medical care is available in some locations, but remote areas and ethnic groups are underserved. Public spending on healthcare is low compared with neighbouring countries. Still, progress has been made since Laos joined the World Health Organization in 1950: life expectancy at birth rose to 66 years by 2015; malaria deaths and tuberculosis prevalence have plunged; and the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has declined by 75 percent.
The Military history of Laos has been dominated by struggles against stronger neighbours, primarily Thailand and Vietnam, from at least the 18th century.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Laos go unreported and unnoticed. While homosexuality is legal in Laos, it is very difficult to assess the current state of acceptance and violence that LGBTQ people face because of government interference. Numerous claims have suggested that Laos is one of the most tolerant communist states. Despite such claims, discrimination still exists. Laos provides no anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people, nor does it prohibit hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for any of the rights that opposite-sex married couples enjoy, as neither same-sex marriage nor civil unions are legal.
Statistics of Lao League in the 2000 season.
Statistics of Lao League in the 2010 season.
Yotha FC is a football club from Vientiane, Laos. Founded in 1997, the club was formerly known as MCTPC FC, before changing their name to MPWT FC in 2008. The club changed their name again to Yotha FC for the 2012 season. The club has won 3 championships of the Lao League in 2002, 2003 and 2011 and the Prime Minister's Cup in 2003 and 2007.
Statistics of Lao League in the 2011 season.
The Prime Minister's Cup is an annual football competition in Laos, first established in 2003 to provide a platform for teams outside of Vientiane to compete against those in the Lao League In addition to encouraging the development of football across Laos, the cup is also intended to encourage regional players to take their place in the national team and to celebrate the National Day of Laos on December 2.
The 2004 Prime Minister's Cup was the second national football cup competition in Laos. The competition was won by Vientiane FC, who beat Savannakhet FC 2-1 in the final.
The 2007 Prime Minister's Cup was the fourth national football cup competition in Laos. The competition was won by MPWT FC, who beat Savannakhet FC 2–1 in the final.
The 2017 Lao League was the 28th season of the Lao Premier League. The league was composed of clubs starts on 1 April 2017. Lanexang United were the defending champions, having won their first league title in 2016.
The 2018 Lao Premier League is the 29th season of the Lao Premier League. The season started on 24 February 2018.
The 2019 Lao FF Cup is the second edition of the Lao FF Cup, the knockout football tournament in Laos. The tournament returns after last held in 2014. It is scheduled to start on 13 July 2019.
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