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.
Activities and affiliations
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1975–1986
Laos state institutionsPresident
Government and administration -
1975–1991
Laos state institutionsPresident of the Supreme People's AssemblyMain
Legislature and state representation -
1991–1995
Lao People's Revolutionary PartyAdviser to the Central Committee
Political and party leadership
Career Timeline
- 1945Foreign minister of the Lao Issara government and commander-in-chief of the Lao liberation army
- 1950Founded and chaired the Lao Freedom Front (Pathet Lao)
- 1956Chairman of the Lao Patriotic Front (Neo Lao Hak Sat)
- 1957–1958Minister for Planning, Reconstruction and Urban Development
- 1962–1963Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Planning
- 1974Presided over the National Political Consultative Council
- 1975–1991First president of the Lao PDR (Phoumi Vongvichit acting from 1986)
Related historical events
State and economic-policy context
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.
Building on policy changes begun in 1979, reforms relaxed price and trade controls, encouraged foreign investment and reorganized state enterprises. Decentralization coexisted with national planning. Under Kaysone Phomvihane, economic reform proceeded without a transition to multiparty politics.