The close historical, social and cultural links between Thailand and Laos will ensure that ambivalence marks their relationship for many years to come. Lao nationalism has always had to distinguish itself primarily from the Thai, and the existence of a distinct monarch during the period of the RLG provided a clear cultural anchor point. The intellectuals and politicians who created Lao nationalism in the 1940s were supremely confident in their dealings with the Thai, and the intelligentsia of the 1960s could engage the Thai on equal terms. When the communist revolution destroyed these particular supports, it did not matter much initially, in that Lao nationalism became closely tied to the socialist project, and the boundary between Thai- land and Laos was sharply marked by political differences. Once the Lao state to "re-traditionalize', the blurred again. In the absence of a monarchy, many Lao have taken a deep interest in the goings-on of the Thai monarchy, and the visit of the Thai King to Laos in April 1994, and the regular visits of his daughter Princess Sirind- horn, have been a source of delight. It is not that Lao somehow confuse Thai royalty as Lao royalty, but the very structures of their culture draw their eyes towards them, making Thai royalty a proxy for an absent Lao royalty