"Among others "You all, who administer cities and territories, do not kill wrong doers. If their crime is not heavy, do not kill them. Put them in jail instead, accordingly with their crimes. Then, set them free so that they can find an occupation. As for the riches of this country, when there are people there will be riches. If there are no people you will find no riches indeed. That is the reason why I do not want you to kill. On the one hand, do not dispute or conflict one another. Together, keep the border of your territory. On the other hand, others will dispute our country, this must be clear to you..." King Fa Ngum The Great. Founding father of Laos.

Map of Lao Lan Xang 

Siam annexed Isaan in 1907. Over 22 million of Lao people live in Thailand, but less then 4 million in Laos.

The Lao Kingdom of Lan Xang