Elements of Useful Knowledge Vol. 3 (1806)

Only 12 row description on Laos and published in 1806. Laos was known then as a country between Camboja (Cambodia), Tunkin (Vietnam) and Siam (Thailand) with a river (Mekong?) running through it. Lao were also observed as to be closed to Siamese (present Thai) in terms of religion, but resemble Southern Chinese (meaning fairer skin?) in terms of appearance. Full view on google book at http://books.google.co.jp/books?id=O4tgVvBjhPwC&pg=PA216&dq=Laos&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&as_brr=1&ei=XAc3SqeXAYzMlQSanoWsBQ