Lao People's Democratic Republic Policies on Border Management and Development

Abstract

The article reviews international studies to clarify the central policies of the
Lao People's Democratic Republic related to border management and development. It includes
three main areas: rural development policy through eliminating shifting cultivation and forest
protection (focus points and resettlement, land planning and allocation, and commercial crop
development), policies to turn natural resources into resources for development and poverty
reduction (such as hydropower dam construction, mineral exploitation, and rubber
plantations), and border economic development policies (including special economic zones and
border economic triangles). Additionally, the article presents some impacts of these policies on
people's lives, particularly ethnic minorities in border areas.