Interesting article, particularly since I have also visited Laos.

Never heard of the whole concept of micro-credit either.

I remember thinking when I visited that the problems in Laos were essentially political - they had a Communist Government which was reluctant to embrace globalisation and capitalism - at Luang Prabang I recall that electricity was rationed during certain hours of the day. The mountainous terrain meant that infrastructure was needed in the form of bridges, overpasses, tunnels etc but that was lacking. Fortunately, tourism was sustaining economic growth in a big way, raising standards of living in that country.

Its a beautiful country and I sincerely wish its people well. Hopefully their government embraces economic liberalisation in order to bring its people out of poverty.