Nang Sangkhan, or Miss Lao New Year, takes part in "Pi Mai Lao," or Lao New Year celebrations in Vientiane...
Nang Sangkhan, or Miss Lao New Year, pours water mixed with frangipanis and perfume over the head of a statue as she takes part in "Pi Mai Lao," or Lao New Year celebrations in Vientiane April 13, 2012. On the first day of Pi Mai Lao, the city wakes up to the sound of Buddhist monks chanting in the ancient Pali language as women in traditional silk skirts gather at dawn to offer alms to monks in orange collared robes. The slow pace and lagging modernization of Laos, just starting to gain recognition among foreign tourists, means that traditions long abandoned in Thailand, just to the west, remain a key part of life - and are now an important draw for foreign visitors. Picture taken April 13, 2012. REUTERS/Stringer (LAOS - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION TRAVEL)
