Titles & Address Etiquette in Laos

Use polite titles and honorifics when addressing people, especially older adults, officials, monks, and anyone you do not know well; a respectful greeting with a slight bow and the word "sabaidee" is the safest default. In everyday speech, people often add kinship-style terms like "ai" or "nang" before names, and monks are addressed with extra deference, so avoid first names alone unless invited to do so.