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President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic
Flag of Laos.svg
Emblem of Laos.svg
National Emblem
Thongloun Sisoulith (2023) (cropped 2).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
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 Souphanouvong1978.jpg Souphanouvong
ສຸພານຸວົງ
(1909–1995)
2 December 1975 29 October 1986 10 years, 331 days None Kaysone Phomvihane
No image.png Phoumi Vongvichit
ພູມີ ວົງວິຈິດ
(1909–1994)
Acting
29 October 1986 15 August 1991 4 years, 290 days None Kaysone Phomvihane
2 Kaysone Phomvihane 1978.jpg Kaysone Phomvihane
ໄກສອນ ພົມວິຫານ
(1920–1992)
15 August 1991 21 November 1992 1 year, 98 days 1991 Khamtai Siphandon
3 No image.png Nouhak Phoumsavanh
ໜູຮັກ ພູມສະຫວັນ
(1910–2008)
25 November 1992 24 February 1998 5 years, 91 days None Khamtai Siphandon
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
(born 1924)
24 February 1998 8 June 2006 8 years, 104 days 1996 Sisavath Keobounphanh
2001 Bounnhang Vorachith
5 Choummaly Sayasone in Russia head pic.jpg Choummaly Sayasone
ຈູມມະລີ ໄຊຍະສອນ
(born 1936)
8 June 2006 20 April 2016 9 years, 317 days 2006 Bouasone Bouphavanh
2011 Thongsing Thammavong
6 Bounnhang Vorachith 2016 (cropped).jpg Bounnhang Vorachit
ບຸນຍັງ ວໍລະຈິດ
(born 1937)
20 April 2016 22 March 2021 4 years, 336 days 2016 Thongloun Sisoulith
7 Thongloun Sisoulith (cropped, 2024) 01.jpg Thongloun Sisoulith
ທອງລຸນ ສີສຸລິດ
(born 1945)
22 March 2021 Incumbent 4 years, 87 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

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