The 1995 census of Laos counted 3,902 ethnic Khmer people, living in Xekong and Champasak provinces near the Laos-Cambodia border. The number of Khmer in Laos was considerably higher in the 1970's and '80's, when thousands of people fled the killing fields of Pol Pot. In the last several years, however, as peace has gradually returned to Cambodia, most Khmer have returned. Today there may still only be five or six villages of Khmer left in Laos.
In addition to the Lao census figure, 1,438 Cambodian citizens were in Laos at the time the census was taken. One source states, "In southern Laos, especially in Champasak Province, live small numbers of Cambodians. Most commonly they work as truck drivers and boatmen who are involved in legal and illegal trade between Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. A few Cambodians are stationed in Vientiane as members of regional committees such as the Mekong River Committee."
The great majority of Khmer (about six million) live in their homeland, Cambodia. Approximately 1.1 million Khmer people live in southern Vietnam. Others are found in Thailand, and in western nations throughout the world.
The Khmer civilization once ruled a large area of Southeast Asia. Between the 9th and 13th centuries their kingdom encompassed much of present-day Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and southern Vietnam. In the 1200's the Thais and Vietnamese gained control over the Khmer and pushed them into Cambodia, where most of them remain today. The main symbol testifying to the greatness of the Khmer's past is the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Religion plays a dominant role in the every-day lives of the Khmer. Theravada Buddhism was introduced to the area in the 13th century. It gained in prominence, but today many pre-Buddhist rituals remain among the Khmer, including the worship of the neak, a heavenly dragon the Khmer believe is their ancestor. Carvings of this dragon can be found on the roofs of their homes and temples.
Although numerous Khmer in Cambodia are reportedly coming to faith in Christ, their counterparts in Laos remain unreached and unevangelized.
Pray the growing Khmer church in Cambodia would not forget their unreached counsins inside Laos.
Ask God to glorify His Name among Khmer people all around the world.
Pray the Khmer in Laos who fled the Killing Fields of Pol Pot would find the Life of Jesus Christ instead.