Political Leaders: Laos

Leaders of Laos
(Lao People's Democratic Republic)

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Note: Following an attempt (15 Sep 1945 to 15 Sep 1946), the Kingdom of Luang Prah Bang and the Principality of Nakhon Champasak were unified as the Kingdom of Laos in Aug 1946, although the country continued under French protectorate. The independence was proclaimed on 22 Oct 1953 (recognized by the Geneva Accords on 21 Jul 1954). The current Lao People's Democratic Republic was proclaimed on 2 Dec 1975.

Parties: PPPL: Lao People's Revolutionary Party (communist)

Heads of State

King (Rath)
Sisavang Vong                 28 Apr 1904 - 20 Oct 1945 (+1959)  

Chairman of the Provisional Government
Prince Phaya Khammao          20 Oct 1945 - 23 Apr 1946 (+1984)        

Kings (Rath)
Sisavang Vong                 23 Apr 1946 - 29 Oct 1959 (+)      
Savang Vatthana               30 Oct 1959 -  2 Dec 1975 (+1984) 

Presidents of the Republic
Prince Thao Souphanouvong      2 Dec 1975 - 15 Aug 1991 (+1995) PPPL
Phoumi Vongvichit             31 Oct 1986 - 15 Aug 1991 (+1994) PPPL (*)
Kayson Phomvihan              15 Aug 1991 - 21 Nov 1992 (+)     PPPL
Nouhak Phoumsavan             21 Nov 1992 - 24 Feb 1998 (+2008) PPPL
Kanthay Siphandon             24 Feb 1998 -  8 Jun 2006         PPPL
Choummaly Sayasone             8 Jun 2006 -                     PPPL

(*) In fact, acting for Souphanouvong, who went on permanent leave without vacating the office.

General Secretaries of the PPPL

Kayson Phomvihan              22 Mar 1955 - 15 Aug 1991 (+1992)
Khamtay Siphandon             15 Aug 1991 - 21 Mar 2006         
Choummaly Sayasone            21 Mar 2006 -

The PPPL has its roots in the Indochinese Communist Party (DCSD) founded by Ho Chi Minh in 1930. The mainly Vietnamese DCSD formed a Committee for Laos in 1936. In Feb 1951 the DCSD decided to disband and to form three separate parties representing each Indochinese country. On 22 Mar 1955 the Lao People's Party (Phak Pasason Lao, PPL) was formally established. In Jan 1956 it launched the Lao Patriotic Front (Neo Lao Hak Xat) as the political wing of the guerrilla movement Lao Nation (Pathet Lao), while the LPP remained clandestine but directing the Front. In Feb 1972 the PPL was renamed to PPPL.

Prime ministers

Prince Phaya Khammao          20 Oct 1945 - 23 Apr 1946 (+1984)
Prince Kindavong              23 Apr 1946 - 15 Mar 1947 (+1951)
Prince Suvannarat             15 Mar 1947 - 25 Mar 1948 (+1960)
Prince Boun Oum na Champasak  25 Mar 1948 - 24 Feb 1950 (+1980) 
Phoui Sananikon               24 Feb 1950 - 15 Oct 1951 (+1983)
Prince Souvanna Phouma        21 Nov 1951 - 20 Oct 1954 (+1984) 
Katay Don Sasorith            25 Nov 1954 - 21 Mar 1956 (+1959)
Prince Souvanna Phouma        21 Mar 1956 - 18 Aug 1958 (+1984) 
Phoui Sananikon               18 Aug 1958 - 31 Dec 1959 (+1983)
Sunthon Patthamavong          31 Dec 1959 -  6 Jan 1960          military
Kou Abhay                      6 Jan 1960 -  3 Jun 1960  
Prince Tiami Sovanith          3 Jun 1960 - 15 Aug 1960 (+1975) 
Prince Souvanna Phouma        30 Aug 1960 - 10 Nov 1960 (+1984) 
Quinim Pholsena               10 Nov 1960 - 15 Dec 1960 (+1963)a
Prince Boun Oum na Champasak  15 Dec 1960 - 11 Jun 1962 (+1980)
Prince Souvanna Phouma        11 Jun 1962 -  2 Dec 1975 (+1984) 
Kayson Phomvihan               8 Dec 1975 - 15 Aug 1991 (+1992) PPPL
Khamtay Siphandon             15 Aug 1991 - 24 Feb 1998         PPPL
Sisavat Keobounphan           24 Feb 1998 - 27 Mar 2001         PPPL 
Boungnang Vorachith           27 Mar 2001 -  8 Jun 2006         PPPL
Bouason Bouphavanh             8 Jun 2006 - 23 Dec 2010         PPPL
Thongsing Thammavong          23 Dec 2010 -                     PPPL

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