Lomtai

Lomtai, officially the Great Republic of Lomtai (: ລົມໃຕ້ສາທາລະນະລັດຍິ່ງໃຫຍ່; Lomtai Sathalanalad Nyinghainy; : 대남풍공화국; Dae Nampung Gonghwagug; 大南風共和國) is a land-locked country located in South Jungju. Its name, Lomtai, is written using the “南風”, as well as the Akson characters "ລົມໃຕ້" literally “south wind”. Lomtai’s etymology originates from a historic event in the country's early history.

Lomtai initially began as a of the Cheonje empire, with the first mentions of Lomtai were first recorded 316 CE. These first historical records detailed a small series of skirmishes along the Leungvui river between a group of northern elites and local commoners. Multiple skirmishes in and around the Thian basin area continuously occurred for decades following the initial fight. In 834 CE a long series of revolts against the Cheonje government led to a long war. In 866 CE, only a decade before the fall Cheonje, the southern region of what is now present-day Anviene in southern Lomtai to end its dependency on the massive empire. Once Cheonje collapsed, Lomtai was able to conquer the majority of its present-day territory, thus beginning what is known as the First Majestic Kingdom. This kingdom lasted until 1401 when a mass coup d'ete forced the royal family into exile, and the founding of a new dynastic kingdom, the Lom Kingdom. Lom spanned all across present-day Lomtai, and even further into northern Suwannaphum and western Wa Muong, though by 1492 its territory had been enclosed to its present-day borders.

With the onslaught of the industrial revolution, Lom found itself unable to keep up with its neighbors, especially Van Xuan. The emperor was obsessed with upholding the values and practices of feudal society, much to the dissatisfaction of the commoners. Due to the introduction of republics up north in Sinju, the commoners had began to heavily resent the monarchy, this all culminated into a massive assault on the Majestic Palace, the aftermath of which was the death of the emperor and his children, the empress-consort along with the eunuchs were sent into exile. On 23 Samwol, 1876 the Republic of Lom was established, this republic oversaw the modernization and industrialization reforms throughout the country. Though Lom had made great progress, it was still exceedingly poor. Believing that it would bring great social and economic prosperity, the Lom government had been murdered, and the Democratic People's Commune of Lomtai (DPCL) in Yuwol of 1936. The chairman of the Communal Committee of Lomtai (CCL), Xiong Khan initiated the Great Leap Forward, a series of social, economic and political policies enacted to separate Lomtai from "evils" of capitalist Sinju. By 1950, more than 40% of Loms lived in extreme poverty, things only worsened when a drought in one of Lomtai's most vital agricultural regions brought five years of mass famine and disease. The CCL was eventually able to stabilize the situation, as Lomtai imported food from its neighbors, mainly Van Xuan. Though the famine had been dealt with, Lomtai continued to suffer from a rampant measles outbreak, the measles outbreak ended in 1960. The Great Famine, as it's come to be known, claimed an estimated 3-6 percent of the country's entire population. By 1977 more than 70% of Lomtai's working class were in extreme poverty, and the people began to get fed up. The CCL made various promises, which all fell through. In 1992 a massive coup d'état, known as the Coup of the Commune, resulted in the surrender and execution of Lomtai's former communal government. The international community, though mainly the Sinju Union, were highly doubtful that Lomtai could revive itself after such detrimental damage to its people. In 1993 a provisional government was established, which worked hard to reverse the policies enacted during the Communal Era, also known as the Great Leap Backward. After five years, the provisional government drafted a constitution; upon the signing of the constitution the provisional government was dissolved.

On 30 Owol, 1997, the Great Republic of Lomtai was established. Lomtai is a south Jungjuan nation, it is progressing rather quickly, it was one of the world's poorest countries, but since 2005 has been ranked among the 50 richest countries in the world. It's anticipated that by 2045 that Lomtai will take its place as one of Jungju's twenty-five Jungjuan Tigers. Lomtai has a small number of foreign investors, mainly from Yedal and Yoju, since the country is rapidly developing, other nations foresee great economic prosperity in Lomtai's future. One of the largest contributors to Lomtai's economy is its tourism industry, the country is internationally renowned for its array of historical monuments, as well as its many geographic wonders. Lomtai receives upwards of 60 million tourists on an annual basis. Lomtai has an advanced education system, and the government promotes a healthy lifestyle for all citizens. Despite the massive amounts of progress made, poverty and child hunger, as well as a lack of child labor laws continue to be large issues in Lomtai, regardless, it's a very nice country to visit!

=Etymology=

Lomtai's name originates from the Akson characters "ລົມໃຕ້; lom tai" which literally translate to "south wind". The first record of the name "Lomtai" dates back to 1936 when the Democratic People's Commune of Lomtai was founded.

Originally, Lomtai was a tributary of the Cheonje empire, and was heavily dependent on the empire. Cheonjeans commonly referred to Lomtai as "Lan Xang"'. In 143 CE the Lan Xang tributary had split apart into three separate states; Mudaue, Nattaso, and Padalai, thus initiating a period known as the Warring Three Kingdoms. The kingdoms were reunified in 500 CE when a young teenage soldier from a small village known as "Lhoum" in Padalai managed to capture the Mudauen and Nattasoan capitals of Hkamgoo and Poikuon. In his honor, the reunified kingdom succeeding the Waring Three Kingdoms period was named Lom.

=History=

Prehistory
first migrated to south Jungju around 70,000 BCE from south Yoju. Small tribes consisting of one dozen people, on average, settled in forests and river valleys. The Midu people of the Khawei forest are regarded as the earliest and the cradle of Lom civilization. By 2000 BCE the Midu had emmased a small village of a few hundred people, and had spread further out of the Khawei area. The Midu were excellent huntsmen who were quite well at adapting, though they severely lacked agricultural skills, this being one of the possible reasons for their downfall.

By 700 BCE a newer, technologically advanced group of people, known as the Sutu had moved into the Khawei area. The Sutu quickly settled and created a series of small villages. These people cultivated common things such as and fruit. By 500 BCE the Midu had become obsolete, while some chose the join the Sutu and assimilate, the majority of the Midu chose to maintain their traditional lifestyle, and as a result died from a dwindling population.

It is estimated that Lomtai became a protectorate of Cheonje some time around 34 CE - 77 CE. The Sutu population slowly declined, and they were eventually replaced by the, the Thay are the ancestors of all modern-day ethnic Loms and. It is commonly believed that the Luang Phabang kingdom was founded by the Thay people some time from 190 - 200 CE.

First Majestic Kingdom
Considered the first 'proper' Lom kingdom, the First Majestic Kingdom was a Lom state based in present-day southwest Lomtai. It was founded in the early of 866, ten years before the collapse of Cheonje.

Prior to gaining its independence in the Cheonjean Wars of South Jungju the Majestic Kingdom (or Hanamdanggukgu :下南黨國區/하남당국구)) was a satellite state of the Hůmōb tributary state. Following Cheonje's collapse the Majestic Kingdom annexed the Hůmōb clique.

==Lom Kingdom

The Lom Kingdom was founded in late Parwol of 1401 after the coup the resulted in the collapse of the First Majestic Kingdom. There was a previous Lom kingdom during the Cheonje period, though it is not considered legitimate. The new Lom monarchy initially led by Empress Noelokainani (1365-1428) quickly stabilized the country. During her reign (1401-1428) Noelokainani began the expansion of the Lom kingdom into western Wa Muong and northeastern Suwannaphum. Lom's quick and unexpected expansion had left many of its neighboring states wary of what was to come.

In 1420 the queen's firstborn, prince Longthaek led a full-front invasion of Ratanakiri. The army had successfully captured the capital, though was forced out of Ratanakiri within the span of a few weeks. Longthaek lead four more invasions into Ratanakiri, all resulting in various degrees of success. In 1428 Longthaek ascended to the throne shortly after his mother's passing.

In 1768 Lom made contact with Fusen and Jeongmi, ambassadors Yoshikawa Kentaro and Son Pil-woo both gave detailed accounts of Muong Viang, the emperor, and Lom in general. All of this was documented in the book Nations of the World. With the onslaught of the industrial revolution a number of South Jungjuan countries, including Sinjuan colonies in the region began to industrialize, too. Lom's government vehemently opposed industrialization, due to wanting to preserve the values of feudal society. This consequently led to the kingdom quickly becoming poor. In late Samwol of 1876 a coup d'état resulted in the death of the royal family, as well as the proclamation of the Republic of Lom.

Republic of Lomtai
The Republic of Lomtai was a sovereign Lom state from 1876 to 1936. The Republican Period, as it has become colloquially known as, was marked by mass industrialization as well as social and economic reforms heavily inspired by Sinju at the time.

Communal Era
The Democratic People’s Commune of Lomtai was a sovereign state based in Lomtai from 1937 to 1992. The Commune was proclaimed on 12 Guwol, 1937 after the People’s Democratic Coup of 1937, which usurped the Republic of Lom. The country was governed by Phayvanh Chanthalangsy from 1937 until his death in 1989. In 1950 the Communal Committee of Lomtai enacted the Greater Prosperity Mission (Decade of Horrors), a social and economic movement led by the CCL from 1950 to 1961. The campaign commenced as a result of Grand Chairman Phayvanh Chanthalangsy’s motivation to reconstruct Lomtai into a structured,,. The CCL funded mass industrialization of the countryside as well as implemented the National Free Education Policy which provided free and accessible education to all children in Lomtai. In many ways the CCL worked to improve the quality of life in Lomtai.

In late Owol of 1955 a devastated one of Lomtai’s most vital agricultural regions, which began a two year-long famine across the country and caused the deaths of 3 percent of Lomtai’s population. The CCL initially underestimated the situation which only contributed to casualties. The government allocated resources primarily for the wealthy and CCL-friendly regions; mainly metropolitan areas such as Makan or Patufai. One year later in 1956 an outbreak of furthur devastated the country and caused the deaths of roughly 1 percent of the population. Following the brief famine and pandemic small protests in rural areas of the country arose. between Lomtai and its neighbors waned; namely Vạn Xuân and Suwannaphum. During the 1960’s and 1970’s both Vạn Xuân and Suwannaphum released a number of anti-Lomtai and anti-CCL. Tensions between the three countries decreased in the early 1980’s. On 3 Samwol, 1989 Grand Chairman Phayvanh Chanthalangsy died from. Following the death of the Grand Chairman, Keo Phommachanh was promoted to the position of Grand Chairman, but was assasinated by Khamla Vongvichit who instead promoted himself to the position of Grand Chairman. Throughout the 1960’s to the 1980’s small protests occurred in rural areas, but in 1990 the Anti-Commune, pro-liberation protests erupted across the country, the power of the government rapidly declined. In Yuwol of 1991 Vongvichit abdicated his position, thus leaving the remainder of the CCL to manage Lomtai.

Beginning on 7 Owol, 1992 members of the Former Glory Restoration Movement protested outside of the National Presidential Palace demanding the abdication of the Communal Committee as well as the abolishment of the Democratic People’s Commune. Finally on 10 Owol, 1992 Somphone Xiong signed the Decree of Abdication on behalf of the Lom government, thus surrendering and abolishing the government.

Provisional government (1992-1997)
=Geography and Climate=

Geography
Lomtai is a land-locked country in South Jungju, it is bordered by Suwannaphum, Wa Muong, Ratanakiri, and Tianan. In the far southwest of the country lay small mountains ranges, and in the far northwest flows the Xiammak river.

Climate
Lomtai has a largely tropical climate which is influenced by the the South Jungjuan Monsoon. Lomtai is quite hot and humid, and heavy precipitation is very frequent. The rainy season of Lomtai lasts from mid-Sawol to late Siwol, and the dry season lasts from Sibirwol to Sawol. Due to Lomtai has slowly gotten hotter. The average temperature during the summer is 47° celsius, while in the colder months the average temperature is 8° celsius.

=Government and Politics=

The ruling party of Lomtai is the Lomtai Nationalist Party, the upper house is highly influential. Lomtai is still a single-party state, and openly endorses capitalism. The president and vice-president ultimately hold all of the power and governing authority over the state. As of 2017 the heads of state are President Phouma and Vice-President Inthavong. They previously served as secretaries in the Workers Party in 2013.

The constitution of the Republic of Lomtai written on 23 Irwol, 1998 officially declared the newly installed, capitalist government of Lomtai as sovereign.

=Foreign Relations=

The foreign relations of Lomtai after the establishment of the current republic are characterized through firm opposition of communism and distancing itself from other socialist countries. Though it once maintained close ties with the OSDMA, it now is quite hostile and often places tariffs on OSDMA member states. Lomtai depends heavily on the ASJN and ICSN for a majority of its foreign aid. In 1999 Lomtai signed a treaty of friendship with Ratanakiri, thus causing lasting tensions with Suwannaphum.

Lomtai's emergence from poverty and isolation is characterized through improved and newly established relations with other countries such as Namju, Meisaan, Scueria, and Seogwan. In 2015 trade relations with Namju were normalized through congresse approved legislation. Lomtai was admitted to the Association of South Jungjuan Nations (ASJN) in Yuwol of 2005, and then joined the International Cooperation and Security Network (ICSN) in Iwol of 2009.

=Economy=

In recent years Lomtai's economy has gradually been becoming independent, the largest contributors to its economy are its exports. Lomtai's main exports include clothing, computer components, and household appliances. Another major contributor to Lomtai's economy is its poppy cultivation industry. Despite Lomtai's exports contributing to its economy, Lomtai is still heavily dependent on its neighbors and allies, Suwannaphum and Van Xuan. Khamchanh has also experienced major growth due to cross-border trade with Suwannaphum and Wa Muong.

In 2018 the average annual income for Lom families was reported to be 銅10,300, the majority of Lomtai residents work in physically demanding jobs such as farming, construction, or mining. In Khamchanh and Champasak the majority of families work in textile factories and sweatshops, their annual income is 銅16,300. Outside of Lomtai's northwestern region are a few select metropolitan cities, the country still struggles with poverty and food shortages. All of Lomtai's residents have access to free electricity. accounts for a third of Lomtai's GDP and provides 39.7 percent of Lomtai residents with employment.

Lomtai is rich in mineral resources and imports large quantities of petroleum, gas, metal. Foreign direct investment is large due to Lomtai's mining industry. The country also heavily relies on its tourism industry, major cities such as Khamchanh and Cianbumi receive approximately 120,000 foreign tourists per year. Khamchanh is notorious for its casinos and gambling areas, though it also has other areas which attract tourists. In total, the tourism industry annually contributes 銅6,500,370 to Lomtai's economy.

=Healthcare and Education=

Healthcare
As of 18 Sibirwol, 2019 Lomtai has low-cost healthcare. Originally residents had to pay in full to receive healthcare and healthcare related services. In Sibirwol of 2019, Vice-President Inthavong signed the Mānao Healthcare Act, this act mandated that taxpayer money will be used in conjunction with spare government money to pay for 65 percent of each citizen's healthcare, but citizens still have to pay for the remaining 25 percent as well as pay for the full cost of healthcare related services. Unregistered residents, as well as foreigners living in Lomtai do not have any form of healthcare coverage, they have to pay in full for healthcare, or go back to their home country to receive help. Lomtai has a decently-funded healthcare system, most of its medical equipment is up to date and meets most of the guidelines set in place by the International Health Network.

Education
It is mandated by law that minors from the ages of 4 - 19 attend some form of formal education, recalcitrance with the established mandate typically results in those complaisant being fined. School is divided into three sections; elementary, primary, and secondary. Children from the ages of 4 - 9 attend elementary schools, students ranging anywhere from 9 - 12 years old attend primary school, and teenagers from the ages of 13 - 19 attend secondary school. In recent years many college attendance and applications have seen a huge rise, many in Lomtai hope to one day walk through the halls of Khmauchey University (KU) or Champasak International University of Lomtai (CIUL). In 2016 Lomtai was ranked 15 in the listing of the smartest countries in Tiandi. One of the larger drawbacks of Lomtai's education system is that there are no schools or programs to assist special-needs students and their families. Special-needs children, depending on the severity of their condition, or conditions are often sent away to live with family in foreign countries that do have the resources that the special-needs student needs.

=Culture=

Cuisine
Lomtai's cuisine is quite similar to that of Suwannaphumese and Wa Muongese dishes, but there are many distinct traits in Lom cuisine that help differentiate it from other South Jungjuan cuisines. Popular dishes in Lomtai include and green, both of which originated in Lomtai. As is common with the rest of Jungju, is a staple of the Lom diet, the main variety being  rice (ເຂົ້າຫນຽວ, ข้าวเหนียว; kʰàw nǐw). Khao Nio rice is also seen in and Wa Muongese cuisine. A large majority of Lom dishes contain spices, sauces, raw vegetables, and herbs. Chilli peppers are also commonly used in Lom cuisine.

It was previously common practice for people to eat food with their hands, and occasionally use a spoon. were introduced to Lomtai by Fusen in the later half of the nineteenth century during the industrial revolution. In the beginning, chopsticks were seen as a ceremonial dining utensil. People would only use them during special events such as large family gatherings and holidays. Eventually chopsticks became a marker of status, it was common for the bourgeois to have specific carving performed on their chopsticks or have them specially made with a valuable kind of wood. During the communal era, chopsticks had once again become popular with the populace, and these dining utensils are still in use by everyone in Lomtai to this day. Sinju had a minor influence on Lom cuisine.

=Military=

The Great Republic of Lomtai Armed Forces (ກຳ ລັງປະກອບອາວຸດຂອງສາທາລະນະລັດລົມໃຕ້; kam lang pakoboavud khongsathalanalad Lomtai) is the official military force of Lomtai. After the coup d'été that resulted in the collapse of Lomtai's previous government over twenty years ago, the military underwent an entire reformation. In 2004 president Pao initiated the Lomtai Military Reformation of 2004, which consisted of rigorous personnel training, technological advancements, and abolishing old, outdated policies. Per the official laws and mandates, military service is mandatory for all able-bodied men anywhere from the ages of 18 - 35, it is also mandatory for able-bodied women ranging from the ages 24 - 35. The duration of mandatory service varies on the basis of gender, the duration of mandatory military service for males is three years. Females have a much shorter service duration, because it's only eighteen months long. The penalty for not completing mandatory military service by the age of 30 or 35 is a 銅20,000 fine and one year in county prison. The act of deliberately neglecting to complete the mandatory service is a 銅50,340 fine and thirty months in federal prison. Lomtai's largest military base is Wientschan Army Base in Champasak.

Much of Lomtai's military arsenal is old and outdated, so it gets a majority of its weaponry imported from countries such as Namju. Since 2015 a large amount of funding meant for the military is currently being used on updating infrastructure, so there is a lack of funding for military personnel. In 2008 the annual salary for a military personnel was 銅25,300, but has since dropped down to 銅9,610 as of 2017. Vice-president Okalani Inthavong has recently approved a small number of policies which provide military soldiers with necessities such as food and clothes. Lomtai's military has often been criticized for being "too harsh" on its younger personnel, and that the living conditions for soldiers are quite appalling. President Khammeung Phouma recently implemented a six year long plan to raise military standards and advance weaponry. The end goal is the make Lomtai's military largely self-sufficient in the future.

=Demographics=

Race and Ethnicity
Lomtai is an ethnically and culturally homogeneous country, as over 80 percent of the country is ethnically Lom. Other ethnic minorities in Lomtai include the, , and. With the exception of the Suwannaphumese, a majority of Lomtai's ethnic minorities live in small ethnic enclaves. Phôngsali is a city in Pekalo province near the Lomtai-Tianan-Wa Muong border, the majority of residents in Phôngsali are of.

Outside of Lomtai's metropolitan cities and  sentiments are extremely prevalent. Many Yojuan immigrants have testified many racist encounters with Loms. In 2014 an Ovlandan exchange student was the victim of a vicious assault, he was beaten and called derogatory slurs by Lom classmates. West Yojuans make up a very small percentage of the Lom population, roughly 0.010 percent.

Mijuans are one of Lomtai's largest racial minorities, they account for an estimated four percent of Lomtai's overall population. The majority of Mijuans in Lomtai are immigrants from Matobo, many of these Matobwe immigrants live in ethnic enclaves in cities. Xiengboree has the largest Mijuan population in the entire country.

=Architecture=

Traditional Lom architecture has always been under heavy Suwannaphumese influence, traditional Lom homes were constructed using material such as, wood and bamboo. Many homes would be held up off of the ground by stilts to protect from events such as flooding. Aristocrats, and those of a higher status in general lived in larger and extravagant homes, while peasants lived in small, wooden homes with thatched roofs. Sinjuan influence in Lom architecture began in the mid 19th century, it was somewhat common for elites to live in homes with tiled roofs. A few Sinjuan temples were constructed during the 20th century, a prime example of Sinjuan architecture in Lomtai is the Thianmeen villa.

Modern Lom architecture is still heavily inspired by traditional architecture; Lom homes are still modeled after traditional Lom homes. In the more populous areas of the country, city architecture is mostly inspired and modeled after Sinju. Lom neighborhood are typically constructed with the intent of being enclosed communities.

=Science and Technology=