This story is dedicated to the memory of Somphorn Boupha (photo left) whom I interviewed for this description of gay life in Laos. He passed away from cancer in 2019. He welcomed me and helped me gain a fuller appreciation of being gay in his country. In addition to my interview (see Kobchai Beer Garden
The situation of human rights in Laos has been recognized as a cause for concern since the socialist forces took charge in the 1970’s. For gays, penalties, fines and imprisonment have in the past been imposed on Lao citizens who were seen to breach the social norm or become inappropriately intimate with foreigners. However, more recently, gays are quietly becoming visible within Lao society and gay business entrepreneurs and managers are setting the trend with stylish boutique operations. Nevertheless, the government is not going to allow a sex industry to emerge publicly as it has in neighboring countries. The Lao are modest in their behavior and expect visitors to be the same.
Name: Laos
Population: 5433000
Capital: Vientiane - Pop. 220000
Area: 236800 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: Lao
Religion: Theravada Buddhism, Animism
Status of Homosexuality: Not Illegal (ambiguous)
Telephone Country Code: 856
Mekong River Cruise from Laos to Thailand
The Mekong is one of the world’s great rivers. It is the world’s 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is 4,909 km (3,050 mi) and it drains an area of 795,000 km2 (307,000 sq mi). From the Tibetan Plateau this river runs through China’s Yunnan province, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and
Mekong River Cruise from Laos to Thailand
The Mekong is one of the world’s great rivers. It is the world’s 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is 4,909 km (3,050 mi) and it drains an area of 795,000 km2 (307,000 sq mi). From the Tibetan Plateau this river runs through China’s Yunnan province, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is a city located in north central Laos, where the Nam Khan river meets the Mekong River about 425 kilometers (264 mi) north of Vientiane. It is the capital of Luang Prabang Province. The current population of the city is about 103,000. The city was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name.
Vientiane 1
Vientiane is the capital city of Laos, situated in the Mekong River valley. After a period of more than 50 years as a French protectorate, Laos gained independence in 1949. A long civil war ended officially when the communist Pathet Lao movement came to power in 1975 but the protesting between factions continued for several
Vientiane 2
Vientiane is the capital city of Laos, situated in the Mekong River valley. After a period of more than 50 years as a French protectorate, Laos gained independence in 1949. A long civil war ended officially when the communist Pathet Lao movement came to power in 1975 but the protesting between factions continued for several
Vientiane 2001
After a period as a French protectorate, Laos gained independence in 1949. A long civil war ended officially when the communist Pathet Lao movement came to power in 1975 but the protesting between factions continued for several years. Private enterprise has increased since the late 1990s when economic reforms including rapid business licensing were introduced.