‘The mountains that surround it on every side fortify the land marvellously against the enterprises of foreigners … Whole forests of full grown timber trees grow at the foot of these mountains seeming to have been planted intentionally to serve as a rampart against the great falls of rain which would cause great damage if there were not this natural obstacle. The Lao live at peace with all six neighbouring kingdoms, with the exception of Pegu [the Shan States of Burma], with whom they have been at war for a number of years. But the unnavigable rivers, mountains and forests intervening mean they cannot do each other much harm.’

Gerritt van Wuysthoff, 1641