Preceded by Kaysone Phomvihane Role Former President of Laos Preceded by Nouhak Phoumsavanh Succeeded by Choummaly Sayasone | Preceded by Kaysone Phomvihane Presidency end date June 8, 2006 Name Khamtai Siphandon | |
Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh
Bounnhang Vorachith Vice President Oudom Khattigna
Choummaly Sayasone Born 8 February 1924 (age 100) ( 1924-02-08 ) Political party Lao People's Revolutionary Party Party Lao People's Revolutionary Party Presidential term February 24, 1998 – June 8, 2006 Previous office President of Laos (1998–2006) | ||
General Khamtay Siphandone (Lao: ຄຳໄຕ ສີພັນດອນ; born 8 February 1924) is a Laotian politician who was President of Laos from 24 February 1998, until 8 June 2006, when he was replaced by Choummaly Sayasone. He was a member of the Communist Party of Indochina in 1954 and a member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party in 1956.
Khamtai also served as chairman, or leader, of the communist Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the only legal party in the country, from 24 November 1992, until 21 March 2006, when he was replaced by Choummaly. As expected, he stepped down as President soon after the April 30, 2006, National Assembly elections.
He was the military commander of the Pathet Lao rebellion. On its takeover of the Laotian government in 1975 he became minister of defence, commander of the army, and a deputy prime minister. On the creation of a presidential republic in 1991, he became prime minister, succeeding party leader Kaysone Phomvihane, who became president. General Khamtai Siphandon became party leader on Kaysone's death, and later succeeded Nouhak Phoumsavanh as president. At the 8th Party Congress in 2006, he became an Advisor to the LPRP Central Committee.