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Khamtai Siphandone
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ຄຳໄຕ ສີພັນດອນ
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Siphandone in 2004
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| Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party | |
| In office 24 November 1992 – 21 March 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Kaysone Phomvihane |
| Succeeded by | Choummaly Sayasone (asGeneral Secretary) |
| 4th President of Laos | |
| In office 24 February 1998 – 8 June 2006 | |
| Prime Minister | Sisavath Keobounphanh Bounnhang Vorachith |
| Vice President | Oudom Khattigna Choummaly Sayasone |
| Preceded by | Nouhak Phoumsavanh |
| Succeeded by | Choummaly Sayasone |
| 12th Prime Minister of Laos | |
| In office 15 August 1991 – 24 February 1998 | |
| President | Kaysone Phomvihane Nouhak Phoumsavanh |
| Preceded by | Kaysone Phomvihane |
| Succeeded by | Sisavath Keobounphanh |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Laos | |
| In office 2 December 1975 – 15 August 1991 Serving with Nouhak Phoumsavan, Phoumi Vongvichit and Phoun Sipraseuth | |
| Minister of Defense | |
| In office 2 December 1975 – 15 August 1991 | |
| Prime Minister | Kaysone Phomvihane |
| Preceded by | Post established |
| Succeeded by | Choummaly Sayasone |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1924-02-08) 8 February 1924 (age 100) Champasak, French Protectorate of Laos, French Indochina (now Laos) |
| Political party | Lao People's Revolutionary Party (1955–2006) |
| Spouse | Thongvanh Siphandone |
| Children |
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| Relatives | Khampheng Saysompheng (son-in-law) |
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General Khamtai Siphandone (Lao: ຄຳໄຕ ສີພັນດອນ; born 8 February 1924) is a Laotian politician who was Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party from 24 November 1992 to 21 March 2006 and President of Laos[1] from 24 February 1998 to 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.
Siphandone was born on 8 February 1924.[2] He comes from a peasant family from the far south of Laos. His first job was as a postman. He joined the national liberation movement Lao Issara after the end of the Second World War, which stood for the independence of Laos and against the return of the French protectorate administration. Before the French regained control of Savannakhet in March 1946, Siphandone seized the entire provincial fund (150,000 piastres). He became an officer of the armed wing of the movement and in 1948 their representative for southern Laos. After the split of Lao Issara in 1950 he joined the Viet Minh-backed Pathet Lao.[3]
In 1954 he became a member of the Communist Party of Indochina, and in 1955 the Lao People's Party, whose central committee he was from 1957. He was considered a close confidant of the first Secretary-General Kaysone Phomvihane. In 1962 he became his successor as chief of staff of the armed units of the Pathet Lao. In 1966 he became commander-in-chief of the resulting "Lao People's Liberation Army", which fought with North Vietnamese support, in the Laotian Civil War against the royal troops. In 1972 he rose to the Politburo of the LPRP.[3]
Siphandone was the military commander of the Pathet Lao rebellion.[4] After the successful Communist takeover in 1975, he became the Minister of Defense and a Deputy Prime Minister of Laos.[4] During the 5th Party Congress in 1991, Siphandone was the third highest-ranking member of the party leadership, after Kaysone Phomvihane and Nouhak Phoumsavanh.[5] On 15 August 1991, he succeeded Kaysone as Prime Minister of Laos, who had left office to become President. After the death of longtime party leader Kaysone in 1992, Siphandone became Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.[4]
Siphandone succeeded Nouhak Phoumsavanh as president in 1998.[6] At the 8th Party Congress in 2006, he became an advisor to the LPRP Central Committee.
Siphandone remained as party leader until 21 March 2006, when he was replaced by Choummaly.[7] He stepped down as president in June,[8] following the 2006 Laotian parliamentary election.
Siphandone is married to Thongvanh Siphandone.[9] His son Sonexay joined the LPRP Politburo in 2016[10] and became Prime Minister of Laos in 2022.[11] His daughter Viengthong currently serves as President of the State Audit Organization.[12]
On 8 February 2024, he turned 100, and was sent congratulatory messages by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyễn Phú Trọng and President of Vietnam Võ Văn Thưởng. The Vietnamese ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung presented a birthday gift to Siphandone to his son Sonexay.[13][14]
| Party political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | President of the Lao Front for National Construction 1991–2001 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party 1992–2006 |
Succeeded by
Choummaly Sayasone |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by None |
Minister of Defense 1975–1991 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Prime Minister of Laos 1991–1998 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | President of Laos 1998–2006 |
Succeeded by |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by | Chairperson of ASEAN 2004 |
Succeeded by |
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Heads of state of Laos
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| Kingdom of Laos Kings (1945–1975) |
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| Lao People's Democratic Republic Presidents (1975–) |
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* acting for Souphanouvong | |
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| Kingdom of Laos (1945–1975) |
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| Lao People's Democratic Republic (1975–) |
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