President of Laos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic |
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Style | His Excellency |
Member of |
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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 |
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.
Contents
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) | ||
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Started Office | Left Office | Total Time | |||||
1 | ![]() |
Souphanouvong ສຸພານຸວົງ (1909–1995) |
2 December 1975 | 29 October 1986 | 10 years, 331 days | None | Kaysone Phomvihane |
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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, 87 days | 2021 | Phankham Viphavanh |
Sonexay Siphandone |
Timeline of Presidents

See also
- List of monarchs of Laos
- Vice President of Laos
- Prime Minister of Laos