The Laotian government has long suffered widespread corruption within its ranks, with politicians caring more about lining their own pockets than the good of their people. However, massive civil unrest and protesting caused an upheaval of the previous government and laid the groundwork for a new democracy to form. President Htet Lin of the United Peoples Party was elected in a landslide victory against his opponent, former President Chan Min.
The ESS has used the disarray of the previous governments fall from grace to raid many military bases around the region and stock up on weapons, ammunition and vital supplies. They have become one of the most powerful non-government entities in the South East Asian region.