10th C. AD		Thai tribes begin to settle Laos.
mid 14th C. AD		Laos first united as one kingdom - called the Lan Xang. Bhuddism introduced.
17th C. AD		Lan Xang kingdom extends control over much of central Indochina.
1707		Lan Xang kingdom split into Luang Prabang and Vientiane kingdoms - constant warfare for the next century.
1778-1893		Laos region dominated by Siam (Thailand).
1778		Vientiane captured by Thai army.
1827		Vientiane destroyed in Thai invasion.
1860s		The French arrive in the region. Start of Franco-Thai border clashes.
1893		Laos becomes French protectorate - incorporated into French Indochina.
1899		Creation of a unified Laos under the French.
1942-45		Occupied by Japan. Administered via French Vichy government.
March 1945		Proclamation of Laotian independence encouraged by Japan.
1946		France re-establishes control. Laotian king becomes constitutional monarch.
19 July 1949		Laos is granted self-government within the French Union.
1950		Communist-backed Lao Patriotic Front (LPF) established to oppose French rule.
1951		Pathet Lao founded as the armed wing of the LPF.
1953		Vietnamese Viet Minh & Pathet Lao gain control of northern provinces.
23 October 1953		Independence as a constitutional monarchy.
1954		Geneva Conference agreement gives northern provinces to Pathet Lao and remainder to royalists.
29 December 1954		Laos gains full territorial sovereignty.
1954		Unified Royalist-Pathet Lao government formed.
1958		Elections lead to hostilities between Pathet Lao and right-wing government.
1959-62		Civil war between communists, neutralists and pro-western factions.
1962		Geneva Conference arranges for short-lived coalition government.
1963		Pathet Lao begins armed struggle with royal government.
1964		US commences bombing of North Vietnamese bases in Laos.
1964		Right wing military coup attempt.
1965+		North Vietnamese establish Ho Chi Minh Trail through eastern Laos.
1970		Laotian government troops lose Plain of Jars to North Vietnamese.
1970		CIA activity in Laos revealed.
Jan-March 1971		South Vietnamese troops invade southern Laos with US air support.
1971		North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao forces capture major government positions.
21 Feb 1973		Ceasefire agreed.
29 July 1973		LPF and royal government agree on a political & military settlement.
August 1973		Right-wing coup put down.
April 1974		Coalition government formed with Pathet Lao.
2 Dec 1975		Pathet Lao communists seize power, abolish monarchy and proclaim Lao People's Democratic Republic.
1977		25-year friendship treaty with Vietnam.
1979		Vietnamese and Laotian forces invade Cambodia and overthrow Pol Pot regime.
1980		Moves towards collective farming abandoned. Government starts promoting private enterprise.
1980		Increasing public resentment over continuing Vietnamese control of the country.
Nov 1980		Laos moves to improve relations with the USA, China and Thailand.
1986		Laos moves towards a more open economic system.
Dec 1987-Feb 1988		Border clashes with Thailand over disputed region.
1988		Vietnam begins major troop withdrawals from Laos.
1988		Further liberalisation of the economy.
1989		First elections held since 1975. All candidates had to be approved by communists.
March 1991		New constitution adopted.
1994		Thailand-Laos bridge over the Mekong opens. First direct road link between the two countries.
1997		Laos joins ASEAN - the Association of South East Asian Nations.
July 1997		Laos and Russia sign a defence co-operation pact.
Feb 2002		Parliamentary elections - communists win all but one seat.