Use the links above to see more photos.

A memo from the desk of President Obama this past June stated: “I hereby determine that The Lao People’s Democratic Republic has ceased to be a Marxist-Leninist country.” This decree lifts a ban and Laos can now get financing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank.

Neighboring Cambodia was taken off the "commie" list at the same time, leaving the "red threat" entirely in the hands of North Korea and Cuba.

But the memo refers only to the economic situation here, not the political. Capitalism and free trade, yes. Open government and free speech, not yet.