Activities and affiliations

Government and administration Laos state institutions 1901–1984 ○ natural death

Neutralist leader and the last royal prime minister of Laos

In November 1975 the monarchy's last prime minister, with his half-brother Souphanouvong, went to King Savang Vatthana to ask for his abdication.

A Lao royal and politician who led the neutralist faction and repeatedly headed coalition governments between the right and the Pathet Lao. As the monarchy's last prime minister he led the third coalition government from 1974. In November 1975 he flew with Souphanouvong to Luang Prabang and persuaded King Savang Vatthana to abdicate, then resigned as the National Congress of People's Representatives opened. He remained an adviser to the new government and died in Vientiane in 1984.

Government and administration Laos state institutions 1909–1995

Pathet Lao and the first presidency

The prince who in 1949 told a U.S. diplomat that Laos was a 'classless, Buddhist country in which communist theories had no basis' later became the 'Red Prince' and first president of communist Laos.

A Lao royal and revolutionary leader associated with the Pathet Lao. He participated in coalition and national reconciliation institutions and became the Lao PDR’s first president in 1975. His role differed from Kaysone Phomvihane’s leadership of party and government.