Phoumi Vongvichit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Phoumi Vongvichit
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ພູມີ ວົງວິຈິດ
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| President of Laos Acting |
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| In office 29 October 1986 – 15 August 1991 |
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| Prime Minister | Khamtai Siphandon |
| Preceded by | Souphanouvong |
| Succeeded by | Kaysone Phomvihane |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Laos | |
| In office 2 December 1975 – 1 June 1989 Serving with Nouhak Phoumsavan, Phoun Sipraseuth and Khamtai Siphandon
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| Prime Minister | Kaysone Phomvihane |
| Preceded by | Himself and Pheng Phongsavanh |
| Succeeded by | Phoun Sipraseuth and Khamphouy Keoboualapha |
| In office 5 April 1974 – 1 December 1975 Serving with Pheng Phongsavanh
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| Prime Minister | Souvanna Phouma |
| Succeeded by | Himself, Nouhak Phoumsavan, Phoun Sipraseuth and Khamtai Siphandon (Lao PDR Government) |
| Minister of Education, Sport, and Religious Affairs | |
| In office 2 December 1975 – January 1982 |
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| Prime Minister | Kaysone Phomvihane |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Bountiam Pitsamai |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 5 April 1975 – 1 December 1975 |
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| Prime Minister | Souvanna Phouma |
| Succeeded by | Phoun Sipraseuth (Lao PDR Government) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 April 1909 Xieng Khouang, French Laos |
| Died | 7 January 1994 (aged 84) Vientiane, Laos |
| Nationality | Laotian |
| Political party | Lao People's Revolutionary Party |
| Spouse | Khamsouk Vongvichitr |
| Occupation | Politician |
Phoumi Vongvichit (Lao: ພູມີ ວົງວິຈິດ; 6 April 1909 – 7 January 1994) was an important leader in Laos. He was a key figure in the Pathet Lao movement, which played a big role in shaping the country. He later became an elder statesman of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
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Early Life and Career
Phoumi Vongvichit was born on April 6, 1909, in Xieng Khouang, a province in Laos. His father worked for the government. Phoumi studied in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos.
After finishing his education, he joined the government service during the time when Laos was a French colony. He worked in different cities like Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Xieng Khouang.
Rising Through the Ranks
Phoumi was promoted to district chief in 1939, serving in Xieng Khouang. He then worked in Vientiane from 1940 to 1945. In January 1945, he became the governor of Houaphan province.
He stayed there until August 1945, when Japan surrendered at the end of World War II. Phoumi first worked with French forces, but soon joined the Lao Issara movement. This group wanted Laos to be independent from French rule. He also worked closely with the Viet Minh from Vietnam to oppose the French.
Fighting for Independence
In 1946, the French took control of Laos again. Phoumi went to northern Thailand. For the next three years, he was active with the Lao Issara movement there.
At the end of 1949, the Lao Issara government-in-exile in Thailand broke up. Phoumi chose not to accept an offer to return to Laos. Instead, he joined Souphanouvong in northern Vietnam.
Founding the Pathet Lao
In Vietnam, Phoumi helped create the Neo Lao Issara, also known as the Free Laos Front. He became the Secretary-General of this new front. He was also named Minister of the Interior and Deputy Prime Minister in the Pathet Lao Resistance government.
This government was set up to oppose the Royal Lao government. While it wasn't recognized by other countries, Phoumi held these positions until 1954. That year, the Geneva Agreements ended the First Indochina War.
Political Leadership and Negotiations
From 1954 to 1955, Phoumi led the Pathet Lao in talks with the Royal Lao government. These discussions were about bringing the provinces of Phong Saly and Houaphan back into the country.
In March 1955, Phoumi helped start the Lao People's Party. He was elected to its important Political Bureau. The next year, he joined the Central Committee of the Lao Patriotic Front.
Working Towards Peace
In 1956, Phoumi continued to be involved in talks about uniting the country. These efforts led to the Vientiane Agreements being signed in 1957. These agreements helped form the First Coalition government.
In this government, Phoumi served as the Minister of Religion and Fine Arts. He became very interested in the Buddhist Sangha (community of monks). He saw it as a way to promote Lao culture and resist foreign influences.
Challenges and Escape
In May 1958, Phoumi was elected to the National Assembly as a representative for Luang Prabang. However, after the left-wing parties gained success in the elections, Phoumi lost his ministry position.
In July 1959, he was arrested along with other Pathet Lao representatives. He was put in prison without a trial. But in a famous event in May 1960, he escaped with Souphanouvong and other Pathet Lao leaders and their guards. They made a long journey to the Pathet Lao area in Xieng Khouang.
Role in Coalition Government
After the Battle of Vientiane in December 1960, Phoumi played a key role in getting the Pathet Lao and Neutralist forces to work together. He led the Pathet Lao group at the Geneva Conference on the neutrality of Laos in 1962.
He then served as the Minister of Information, Propaganda, and Tourism in the Second Coalition government. In 1964, after some political problems, Phoumi left Vientiane with other Pathet Lao ministers.
Later Years and Presidency
By this time, Laos was deeply involved in the Vietnam War. For the next ten years, Phoumi spent time living in the limestone caves of Viengxay. He also led Pathet Lao groups to international communist meetings.
He kept his important positions in the Politburo and the Lao Patriotic Front. He played a leading role in the talks that led to the Third Coalition government in 1974. In this government, he was the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Acting President of Laos
After the Lao People's Democratic Republic was formed in December 1975, Phoumi was named Second Deputy Prime Minister. He also became the Minister of Education, Sport, and Religious Affairs.
In 1982, Phoumi became a member of the Inner Cabinet. This meant he was in charge of education, information, and culture. In 1986, Souphanouvong stepped down as President of Laos due to health reasons. Phoumi was then named Acting President of the LPDR. He also became the Chairman of the Lao Front for National Construction.
He retired from the Acting Presidency and the Politburo in March 1991. After 1991, he, along with Prince Souphanouvong and Sisomphon Lovansay, served as advisors to the Party's Central Committee. Phoumi Vongvichit passed away on January 7, 1994.
