Just as the early Christian church lived with and included the pagan world. The other dominate "religion" in Laos is animism. The people believe in spirits that are in nature. Thus there are many "spirit houses" at homes, businesses and temples. When I saw this tree branch off the porch where we were eating lunch, I was able to see how spirits could be seen to live in trees. By the way, before I went to Laos I read a delightful novel called: The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill which takes place in 1975 in Vientiane.
It has a wonderful section on animism and spirits.