So many foreigners come to do business in Laos and to live there. Chinese and Vietnamese have the biggest investments. During political turmoils in Thailand, Japanese had closed their businesses and moved to Laos. China and Laos have a very close relations and Laos chose China to build the new modern Laos especially Vientiane the Capital City. Premier Wen signed the 99-year lease so that piece of land is basically Chinese land, so Chinese can live there if they want. I dont' know why Asia Insight failed to mention it. Madarin and English have become important language in modern Laos. Thousands of Thai have come to live in Laos too.