President of Laos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic
National Flag
National Emblem
Incumbent Thongloun Sisoulith since 22 March 2021
Executive branch of the State Office of the Presidency
Style	His Excellency
Member of	LPRP Central Committee LPRP Politburo LPRP Secretariat LPRP Defence Commission
Residence	Presidential Palace, Vientiane
Seat	Vientiane
Nominator	Lao People's Revolutionary Party
Appointer	National Assembly
Term length	Five years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Laos
Inaugural holder	Souphanouvong
Formation	2 December 1975 (49 years ago) (1975-12-02)
Deputy	Vice President
Salary	1,170,000 Kip per month ($53 USD)

The President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic is the main leader of Laos. This person is known as the head of state. The current president is Thongloun Sisoulith. He took office on March 22, 2021. Before becoming president, he was chosen as the General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. This is the most powerful job in Laos.

A Look Back: History of the Presidency

How the Office Began

The role of President started with Prince Souphanouvong. He was the first President of the People's Democratic Republic. Prince Souphanouvong was part of the old royal family. He was also one of the Three Princes.

He became president when the old Kingdom of Laos ended. This happened in 1975. The Pathet Lao group took over at the end of the Laotian Civil War.

What the President Does

How Long They Serve

The National Assembly chooses the president. They serve for five years. A president can only serve two terms in a row. To be elected, a candidate needs at least two-thirds of the votes. These votes come from lawmakers who are present.

The President's Job and Power

The president represents Laos both inside the country and to other nations. They make sure the government works well. They also protect the country's independence and land.

The president chooses the prime minister. They also pick the vice president and other officials. The National Assembly must agree with these choices. The president is also the top leader of the Lao People's Armed Forces. This means they are the commander-in-chief.

However, Laos is a one-party communist country. The most powerful job is actually the General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. This person leads the Politburo. They also lead the Secretariat. These are the top groups that make decisions in Laos. So, the General Secretary is the real leader of Laos.

Since 1998, the same person has often held both jobs. This means the president gets most of their power from being the General Secretary. All presidents of Laos have been members of this political party.

List of Presidents

No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office			Election	Prime Minister(s)
			Started Office	Left Office	Total Time
1		Souphanouvong ສຸພານຸວົງ (1909–1995)	2 December 1975	29 October 1986	10 years, 331 days	None	Kaysone Phomvihane
–		Phoumi Vongvichit ພູມີ ວົງວິຈິດ (1909–1994) Acting	29 October 1986	15 August 1991	4 years, 290 days	None	Kaysone Phomvihane
2		Kaysone Phomvihane ໄກສອນ ພົມວິຫານ (1920–1992)	15 August 1991	21 November 1992	1 year, 98 days	1991	Khamtai Siphandon
3		Nouhak Phoumsavanh ໜູຮັກ ພູມສະຫວັນ (1910–2008)	25 November 1992	24 February 1998	5 years, 91 days	None	Khamtai Siphandon
4		Khamtai Siphandone ຄຳໄຕ ສີພັນດອນ (born 1924)	24 February 1998	8 June 2006	8 years, 104 days	1996	Sisavath Keobounphanh
						2001	Bounnhang Vorachith
5		Choummaly Sayasone ຈູມມະລີ ໄຊຍະສອນ (born 1936)	8 June 2006	20 April 2016	9 years, 317 days	2006	Bouasone Bouphavanh
						2011	Thongsing Thammavong
6		Bounnhang Vorachit ບຸນຍັງ ວໍລະຈິດ (born 1937)	20 April 2016	22 March 2021	4 years, 336 days	2016	Thongloun Sisoulith
7		Thongloun Sisoulith ທອງລຸນ ສີສຸລິດ (born 1945)	22 March 2021	Incumbent	4 years, 108 days	2021	Phankham Viphavanh
							Sonexay Siphandone

Timeline of Presidents

See also

• List of monarchs of Laos
• Vice President of Laos
• Prime Minister of Laos