The politics of Laos takes place in the framework of a single-party socialist republic.
Water purified for drinking purposes is simply called nam deum (drinking water), whether it is boiled or filtered.
Despite the Communist takeover in the mid-1970s, Laos remains a Buddhist country in everything but name. Patriotic holidays are still celebrated in this landlocked country, but only on Buddhist holidays do the Lao people let their hair down and celebrate.