Timeline: Laos

A chronology of key events:

1893 - Laos becomes a French protectorate until 1945, when it is briefly occupied by the Japanese towards the end of World War II.

Monks gather outside That Luang, a religious landmark in Vientiane Originally built in the 16th century, the present edifice dates from the 1930s

1946

- French rule over Laos is resumed.

1950 - Laos is granted semi-autonomy as an associated state within the French Union.

1954 - Laos gains full independence as a constitutional monarchy. Civil war breaks out between royalists and the communist group, the Pathet Lao.

1960s - Laos subject to extensive aerial bombardment by the United States in an attempt to destroy North Vietnamese sanctuaries and to rupture the supply lines known as the Ho Chi Minh trail. It's estimated that more bombs were dropped on Laos than were used during the whole of World War II.

1973 - Vientiane ceasefire agreement divides Laos between the communists and the royalists.

Communist take-over

1975 - The Pathet Lao - renamed the Lao People's Front - seizes power. King Savang Vatthana abdicates - he is later arrested and dies in captivity. The Lao People's Democratic Republic is proclaimed, with the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) the only legal political party. Kaysone Phomvihane becomes prime minister. "Socialist transformation" of the economy is launched.

1979 - Food shortages and the flight of hundreds of thousands of refugees to Thailand leads the government to modify its approach. Some private enterprise within agriculture is permitted.

Vientiane market: Rice dominates agricultural production

1986

- Encouraged by the Gorbachev reforms in the Soviet Union, Laos introduces market-oriented reforms.

1989 - First elections held since 1975. All candidates have to be approved by the LPRP. Communists retain power.

1991 - Security and cooperation pact signed with Thailand. A new constitution is endorsed. Kaysone Phomvihane becomes president, Khamtay Siphandon becomes prime minister.

1992 - President Phomvihane dies. Siphandon becomes head of the LPRP.

1994 - "Friendship bridge" over the Mekong linking Laos and Thailand is opened.

1995 - US lifts its 20-year aid embargo.

1997 - Laos becomes a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). The Asian financial crisis decimates the value of the Lao currency, the kip.

1998 - Khamtay Siphandon becomes president.

2000 - A series of bomb blasts hits the capital - the authorities blame anti-government groups based abroad. Celebrations of 25 years of communist rule take place in Vientiane in December.

2000 - Government embarks on decentralization process, granting more autonomy and budgetary responsibilities to provinces.

2001 March - Khamtay re-elected president.

2001 April - International Monetary Fund approves a new three-year loan for Laos worth $40 million. IMF officials expect the loan to help strengthen macroeconomic stability and reduce poverty "through growth with equity".

2001 April - Parliament introduces death sentence for possession of more than 500 grammes of heroin.

2001 December - UN World Food Programme (WFP) launches three-year initative to feed 70,000 malnourished children in Laos.

Mekong irrigates fields, provides fish and transport At 4,200 km (2,600 miles), world's 12th longest river Forms boundary between Laos and Burma, and part of Laos-Thailand border Chinese dam-building upstream has led to falls in water level 2001: Mekong - Mother of Rivers

2002

February - Parliamentary elections. All but one of the 166 candidates are from the governing Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

2003 June - Two European journalists and their American translator arrested after making contact with Hmong ethnic group. Pair found guilty of obstructing security forces and briefly jailed.

US-based Lao exile group, the Fact Finding Commission, says the Lao Citizens Movement for Democracy (LCMD) has started a revolution in 11 provinces. The government dismisses the claim.

The LCMD says it has killed three soldiers in clashes. The government denies the claim.

2004 November - As chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), Laos hosts the organisation's summit.

2005 February - US establishes Normal Trade Relations, ending protracted period of punitive import taxes.

2005 April - World Bank approves loans for Nam Theun Two hydroelectric dam project. Dam is expected to produce electricity for export; critics are concerned about its environmental, social impact.

2005 November - Foundation stone of Nam Theun Two hydroelectric dam is laid.

2006 June - Choummaly Sayasone succeeds Khamtay Siphandone as president. The former vice president became leader of the ruling communists in March.

2006 December - More than 400 members of the Hmong ethnic group surrender to the authorities. They are among several groups of Hmong who have been living in the jungle as fugitives since 1975, when the pro-US government they supported was defeated by the communists.

2007 June - US prosecutors charge nine people with plotting a coup in Laos, including former genral Vang Pao, a prominent member of the ethnic Hmong group who emigrated to the US in the 1970s.

2007 July - California court order the release on bail of former genral Vang Pao, accused of plotting the overthrow of Laos' communist government.

2008 January - Laos takes steps to become full member of the World Trade Organization.

2008 May - Some 69% of children in Laos lack basic health care, Save the Children charity reports.

2009 March - Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn opens a rail connection over the Mekong river, linking Thailand and Laos.