Khamtai Siphandone Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Khamtai Siphandone
ຄຳໄຕ ສີພັນດອນ
Siphandone in 2004

Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party
In office 24 November 1992 – 21 March 2006
Preceded by	Kaysone Phomvihane
Succeeded by	Choummaly Sayasone (as General 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 Champasak, Laos, French Indochina (now Laos)
Died	2 April 2025(2025-04-02) (aged 101) Vientiane, Laos
Political party	Lao People's Revolutionary Party (1955–2006)
Spouse	Thongvanh Siphandone
Children	Sonexay Viengthong
Relatives	Khampheng Saysompheng (son-in-law)

Khamtai Siphandone (born February 8, 1924 – died April 2, 2025) was an important political leader in Laos. He served as the leader of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party from 1992 to 2006. He was also the fourth President of Laos from 1998 to 2006. He played a big role in Laos's history after it gained independence.

Early Life and Education
Joining the Independence Movement
Rise in the Pathet Lao
Leading Laos: Key Political Roles
Family Life
Death
Awards and Honours
See also

Early Life and Education

Khamtai Siphandone was born on February 8, 1924. His birthplace was a village called Huakhongphayai in Khong district. He grew up in a farming family in southern Laos, in what is now Champasak province.

When he was seven years old, in 1931, he was chosen to study in the city of Vientiane. This is how he started his primary education. He later went to College PAVIE for secondary school. However, he had to leave in 1941 because he no longer had enough money for his studies.

Joining the Independence Movement

Khamtai Siphandone's first job was as a postman. After taking a special course in Saigon, he became a telegraph operator in Phongsaly province in 1944.

After World War II ended, he joined the Lao Issara movement. This group wanted Laos to be independent. They were against the French returning to control Laos. Before the French took back control of Savannakhet in 1946, Siphandone took all the money from the provincial fund.

He became an officer in the armed part of the movement. By 1948, he was their representative for southern Laos. When the Lao Issara movement split in 1950, he joined the Pathet Lao. This group was supported by the Viet Minh.

Rise in the Pathet Lao

In 1954, Siphandone became a member of the Communist Party of Indochina. The next year, in 1955, he joined the Lao People's Party. He became a member of its Central Committee in 1957.

He was known to be a close friend of the first Secretary-General, Kaysone Phomvihane. In 1962, he took over from Kaysone as the chief of staff for the Pathet Lao's armed forces. In 1966, he became the commander-in-chief of the "Lao People's Liberation Army." This army fought against the royal troops in the Laotian Civil War, with help from North Vietnam.

By 1972, he became a member of the Politburo of the LPRP. This was a very high position in the party.

Leading Laos: Key Political Roles

After the Communist party took power in 1975, Khamtai Siphandone became the Minister of Defense. He also served as a deputy prime minister.

In 1991, he was the third most important person in the party leadership. On August 15, 1991, he became the Prime Minister of Laos. He took over from Kaysone Phomvihane, who became president.

After Kaysone, the long-time party leader, died in 1992, Siphandone became the Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. This made him the top leader of the country.

In 1998, Siphandone became the President of Laos, taking over from Nouhak Phoumsavanh. He served as president until 2006. At the 8th Party Congress in 2006, he became an advisor to the LPRP Central Committee.

He remained the party leader until March 21, 2006, when Choummaly Sayasone took his place. He then stepped down as president in June 2006.

Family Life

Khamtai Siphandone was married to Thongvanh Siphandone. They had children who also became important figures in Laos.

His son, Sonexay, became the Prime Minister of Laos in 2022.
His daughter, Viengthong, is currently the President of the State Audit Organization.

On February 8, 2024, Khamtai Siphandone turned 100 years old. He received congratulatory messages from leaders of Vietnam. The Vietnamese ambassador to Laos even presented a birthday gift to his son, Sonexay.

Death

Khamtai Siphandone passed away at his home in Vientiane on April 2, 2025. He was 101 years old. The government of Laos announced a period of national mourning from April 3 to April 7.