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President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic
Flag of Laos.svg
Emblem of Laos.svg
National Emblem
Thongloun Sisoulith (cropped, 2024) 01.jpg
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 (1991)
Inaugural holder Souphanouvong
Formation 2 December 1975
(49 years ago)
 (1975-12-02)
Deputy Vice President
Salary 1,170,000 monthly (US$53)

The President of Laos is the main leader of the country Laos. This person is called the head of state. The current President is Thongloun Sisoulith. He has been President since March 22, 2021.

Before becoming President, Mr. Sisoulith was chosen as the General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. This is the most powerful job in Laos. He became General Secretary in January 2021. This made him the top person in the Politburo, which is a very important group that makes decisions.

History of the President

How the Role Began

The job of President started with Prince Souphanouvong. He was the first President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Prince Souphanouvong was part of the old royal family. He was also one of the Three Princes who played a big role in the country's history.

He became President in 1975. This happened after the old Kingdom of Laos was replaced by the new People's Democratic Republic. This change took place 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 serve for a maximum of two terms in a row. To be chosen, a candidate needs at least two-thirds of the votes from the lawmakers.

Main Responsibilities

The President represents Laos both inside the country and to other nations. They make sure the government works well and stays stable. The President also protects the country's independence and its borders.

The President chooses important officials. These include the Prime Minister, the Vice President, and other ministers. The National Assembly must agree with these choices. The President is also the top leader of the Lao People's Armed Forces, which means they are the commander-in-chief.

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

Since 1998, the President and the General Secretary jobs have often been held by the same person. This means the President gets most of their power from also being the General Secretary. Because Laos is a one-party state, all Presidents have been members of the ruling party while in office.

Who Has Been President?

No. Portrait Name
(Born–Died)
Time in Office Election Prime Minister(s)
Started Ended Total Time
1 Souphanouvong1978.jpg Souphanouvong
ສຸພານຸວົງ
(1909–1995)
December 2, 1975 October 29, 1986 10 years, 331 days None Kaysone Phomvihane
Phoumi Vongvichit of Laos.jpg Phoumi Vongvichit
ພູມີ ວົງວິຈິດ
(1909–1994)
Acting
October 29, 1986 August 15, 1991 4 years, 290 days None
2 Kaysone Phomvihane 1978.jpg Kaysone Phomvihane
ໄກສອນ ພົມວິຫານ
(1920–1992)
August 15, 1991 November 21, 1992 1 year, 98 days 1991 Khamtai Siphandone
3 Nouhak Phoumsavanh 1950.jpg Nouhak Phoumsavanh
ໜູຮັກ ພູມສະຫວັນ
(1910–2008)
November 25, 1992 February 24, 1998 5 years, 91 days None
4 The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh meeting with the President of Laos, Mr. Khamtay Siphandone at Vientiane in Laos on November 29, 2004 (cropped).jpg Khamtai Siphandone
ຄຳໄຕ ສີພັນດອນ
(1924–2025)
February 24, 1998 June 8, 2006 8 years, 104 days 1996 Sisavath Keobounphanh
2001 Bounnhang Vorachit
5 Choummaly Sayasone in Russia head pic.jpg Choummaly Sayasone
ຈູມມະລີ ໄຊຍະສອນ
(born 1936)
June 8, 2006 April 20, 2016 9 years, 317 days 2006 Bouasone Bouphavanh
2011 Thongsing Thammavong
6 Bounnhang Vorachith 2016 (cropped).jpg Bounnhang Vorachit
ບຸນຍັງ ວໍລະຈິດ
(born 1937)
April 20, 2016 March 22, 2021 4 years, 336 days 2016 Thongloun Sisoulith
7 Thongloun Sisoulith (cropped, 2024) 01.jpg Thongloun Sisoulith
ທອງລຸນ ສີສຸລິດ
(born 1945)
March 22, 2021 Incumbent 4 years, 123 days 2021 Phankham Viphavanh
Sonexay Siphandone

Timeline of Presidents

Thongloun Sisoulith Bounnhang Vorachit Choummaly Sayasone Khamtai Siphandone Nouhak Phoumsavanh Kaysone Phomvihane Phoumi Vongvichit Souphanouvong

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Presidente de Laos para niños

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