Khamtai Siphandon

Who is Khamtai Siphandon?

General Khamtai Siphandon is a Laotian politician who was President of Laos from 24 February 1998, until 8 June 2006, when he was officially replaced by Choummaly Sayasone.

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 defense, 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, he became an Advisor to the LPRP Central Committee.