Khamtai Siphandone

2025-10-02T13:13:49Z

2403:4800:9466:FB01:925:8355:609E:7AF3: /* Awards and honours */

{{Short description|President of Laos (1924–2025; served 1998–2006)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Khamtai Siphandone
| native_name = {{nobold|ຄຳໄຕ ສີພັນດອນ}}
| native_name_lang = lo
| image = 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
| caption = Siphandone in 2004
| office1 = [[General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party|Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
| term_start1 = 24 November 1992
| term_end1 = 21 March 2006
| predecessor1 = [[Kaysone Phomvihane]]
| successor1 = [[Choummaly Sayasone]] (as [[General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party|General Secretary]])
| office2 = 4th [[President of Laos]]
| primeminister2 = {{ubl
| [[Sisavath Keobounphanh]]
| [[Bounnhang Vorachith]]
}}
| vicepresident2 = {{ubl
| [[Oudom Khattigna]]
| [[Choummaly Sayasone]]
}}
| term_start2 = 24 February 1998
| term_end2 = 8 June 2006
| predecessor2 = [[Nouhak Phoumsavanh]]
| successor2 = [[Choummaly Sayasone]]
| office3 = 12th [[Prime Minister of Laos]]
| president3 = {{ubl
| [[Kaysone Phomvihane]]
| [[Nouhak Phoumsavanh]]
}}
| term_start3 = 15 August 1991
| term_end3 = 24 February 1998
| predecessor3 = [[Kaysone Phomvihane]]
| successor3 = [[Sisavath Keobounphanh]]
| office4 = [[Deputy Prime Minister of Laos]]
| alongside4 = [[Nouhak Phoumsavan]], [[Phoumi Vongvichit]] and [[Phoun Sipraseuth]]
| term_start4 = 2 December 1975
| term_end4 = 15 August 1991
| office5 = [[Minister of Defense (Laos)|Minister of Defense]]
| primeminister5 = [[Kaysone Phomvihane]]
| term_start5 = 2 December 1975
| term_end5 = 15 August 1991
| predecessor5 = ''Post established''
| successor5 = [[Choummaly Sayasone]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1924|2|8|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Champasak province|Champasak]], [[French Protectorate of Laos|Laos]], [[French Indochina]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2025|04|02|1924|2|8|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Vientiane]], Laos
| party = [[Lao People's Revolutionary Party]] (1955–2006)
| spouse = Thongvanh Siphandone
| children = 6, including [[Sonexay Siphandone|Sonexay]], [[Viengthong Siphandone|Viengthong]]
| relatives = [[Khampheng Saysompheng]] (son-in-law)
}}

'''Khamtai Siphandone''' ({{langx|lo|ຄຳໄຕ ສີພັນດອນ}}; 8 February 1924 – 2 April 2025) was a Laotian politician who served as the chairman of the [[Lao People's Revolutionary Party]] from 1992 to 2006 and as the fourth [[president of Laos]]<ref name="Doeden">Doeden, Matt (2007) ''Laos in Pictures'', Lerner Publishing Group, {{ISBN|978-0-8225-6590-1}}, p. 71</ref> from 1998 to 2006, when he was replaced by [[Choummaly Sayasone]]. He joined the [[Indochinese Communist Party]] in 1954 and became a member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party in 1956.

==Early life==
Siphandone was born on 8 February 1924<ref>Joseph Chinyong Liow, [https://books.google.com/books?id=G5KLBQAAQBAJ&dq=Khamtai+Siphandon+1924&pg=PA212 ''Dictionary of the Modern Politics of Southeast Asia''] (fourth edition, 2015), Routledge, page 212.</ref> in the village of Huakhongphayai in [[Khong district, Laos|Khong district]] to Ny Nilaxay and Saybua Nilaxay, and was among six siblings. He came from a peasant family from the far south of Laos in present-day [[Champasak province]]. In 1931, at the age of seven, he was among several children selected by an officer of the department of religious affairs in Vientiane to study in the city, thus beginning his primary education. He later attended the College PAVIE for his secondary education, but left in 1941 after the official's death left Siphandone unable to financially sustain his studies.<ref name="dead"/>

His first job was as a postman. After taking a specialized course in [[Saigon]], he became a telegrapher in [[Phongsaly province]] in 1944.<ref name="dead"/> He joined the national liberation movement [[Lao Issara]], which stood for the independence of Laos and against the return of the French protectorate administration, after the end of the [[Second World War]].

Before the French regained control of [[Savannakhet]] in March 1946, Siphandone seized the entire provincial fund (150,000 piastres). He became an officer of the armed wing of the movement and in 1948 their representative for southern Laos. After the split of Lao Issara in 1950 he joined the [[Viet Minh]]-backed [[Pathet Lao]].<ref name="Dic160">Stuart-Fox: ''Historical Dictionary of Laos.'' 2008, S. 160.</ref>

In 1954, Siphandone became a member of the [[Communist Party of Vietnam|Communist Party of Indochina]], and in 1955 the Lao People's Party, on whose central committee he served from 1957. He was considered a close confidant of the first Secretary-General [[Kaysone Phomvihane]]. In 1962 he became his successor as chief of staff of the armed units of the Pathet Lao. In 1966 he became commander-in-chief of the resulting "Lao People's Liberation Army", which fought, with [[North Vietnam]]ese support, in the [[Laotian Civil War]] against the royal troops. In 1972 he rose to membership in the Politburo of the [[Lao People's Revolutionary Party|LPRP]].<ref name="Dic160"/>

==Political career==
Siphandone was the military commander of the [[Pathet Lao]] rebellion.<ref name="offices">{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2006-03-21-voa23/322136.html|title= Laos President Steps Down at End of Party Congress|date=21 March 2006|access-date=22 December 2023|website=[[Voice of America]]}}</ref> After the successful Communist takeover in 1975, he became the [[Minister of Defense (Laos)|Minister of Defense]] and a [[Deputy Prime Minister of Laos]].<ref name="offices"/> During the [[5th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party|5th Party Congress]] in 1991, Siphandone was the third highest-ranking member of the party leadership, after [[Kaysone Phomvihane]] and [[Nouhak Phoumsavanh]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2645202|title=Laos in 1991: Year of the Constitution|access-date=22 December 2023|journal=Asian Survey|jstor=2645202 |last1=Johnson |first1=Stephen T. |date=1992 |volume=32 |issue=1 |pages=82–87 |doi=10.2307/2645202 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> On 15 August 1991, he succeeded Kaysone, who had left office to become president, as [[Prime Minister of Laos]]. After the death of longtime party leader Kaysone in 1992, Siphandone became [[General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party|Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]].<ref name="offices"/>

Siphandone succeeded [[Nouhak Phoumsavanh]] as president in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/world/asia/13nouhak.html|title=Nouhak Phoumsavanh, Former President of Laos, Dies at 98|date=12 September 2008|access-date=22 December 2023|website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> At the [[8th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party|8th Party Congress]] in 2006, he became an advisor to the LPRP Central Committee.

Siphandone remained as party leader until 21 March 2006, when he was replaced by Choummaly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/22/world/world-briefing-asia-laos-transfer-of-power.html|title=Asia: Laos: Transfer Of Power|date=22 March 2006|access-date=22 December 2023|agency=Agence France-Presse|website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> He stepped down as president in June,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-15351904|title=Laos profile – leaders|date=12 September 2013|access-date=22 December 2023|website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> following the [[2006 Laotian parliamentary election]].

==Family and personal life==
Siphandone was married to Thongvanh Siphandone.<ref>{{cite web|title = Prime Minister of Laos Khamtai Siphandone and wife Madam Thongvanh being greeted by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Mrs Goh.|url = https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details/5133d00e-1162-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad|publisher = Archive Online|access-date = 22 August 2023}}</ref> His son [[Sonexay Siphandone|Sonexay]] joined the LPRP Politburo in 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2022/12/30/sonexay-siphandone-elected-as-new-lao-prime-minister|title=Sonexay Siphandone elected as new Lao Prime Minister|date=30 December 2023|access-date=22 December 2023|website=The Star}}</ref> and became [[Prime Minister of Laos]] in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://laotiantimes.com/2022/12/30/sonexay-siphandone-new-prime-minister-of-laos/|title=Sonexay Siphandone Elected New Prime Minister of Laos|date=30 December 2022|access-date=22 December 2023|website=The Laotian Times}}</ref> His daughter [[Viengthong Siphandone|Viengthong]] currently serves as President of the State Audit Organization.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Over 3.13 Trillion Kip Recovered Following Audit |url=https://kpl.gov.la/detail.aspx?id=24074 |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=kpl.gov.la |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 8 February 2024, he [[Centenarian|turned 100]], and was sent congratulatory messages by [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam]] [[Nguyễn Phú Trọng]] and [[President of Vietnam]] [[Võ Văn Thưởng]]. The Vietnamese ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung presented a birthday gift to Siphandone to his son Sonexay.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kpl.gov.la/En/detail.aspx?id=80340|title=Party, State leaders congratulate former Lao leader on 100th birthday|work=kpl.gov.la|date=2024-02-08|access-date=2024-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://zh.vietnamplus.vn/%E8%B6%8A%E5%8D%97%E5%85%9A%E5%92%8C%E5%9B%BD%E5%AE%B6%E9%A2%86%E5%AF%BC%E4%BA%BA%E7%A5%9D%E8%B4%BA%E5%9D%8E%E6%B3%B0%E8%A5%BF%E6%BD%98%E6%95%A6%E5%90%8C%E5%BF%97%E8%AF%9E%E8%BE%B0100%E5%91%A8%E5%B9%B4/211033.vnp|title=越南党和国家领导人祝贺坎泰·西潘敦同志诞辰100周年|work=Vietnam+|date=2024-02-07|access-date=2024-02-08}}</ref>

==Death and funeral==
Siphandone died in his residence in [[Vientiane]], on 2 April 2025, at the age of 101. The Laotian government declared a period of mourning lasting from 3 to 7 April.<ref name="dead">{{Cite web|url=https://laotiantimes.com/2025/04/02/former-president-khamtai-siphandone-passes-away-at-101/ |title=Former President Khamtai Siphandone Passes Away at 101 |access-date=2 April 2025 |website=The Laotian Times|date=2 April 2025 }}</ref> General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam [[Tô Lâm]], [[Prime Minister of Vietnam]] [[Phạm Minh Chính]], [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]] [[Xi Jinping]], [[Prime Minister of Thailand]] [[Paetongtarn Shinawatra]], [[King of Thailand]] [[Maha Vajiralongkorn]] and [[Queen of Thailand]] [[Suthida]], [[Prime Minister of Japan]] [[Shigeru Ishiba]], [[President of Russia]] [[Vladimir Putin]], [[General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea]] [[Kim Jong Un]], [[President of Cuba]] [[Miguel Díaz-Canel]], [[Prime Minister of Singapore]] [[Lawrence Wong]] and [[President of Singapore]] [[Tharman Shanmugaratnam]], [[President of Belarus]] [[Alexander Lukashenko]] and [[Prime Minister of Cambodia]] [[Hun Manet]] issued messages of condolences upon Siphandone's death.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kpl.gov.la/En/detail.aspx/detail.aspx?id=90555|title=PM sends condolences over former Lao leader's passing|newspaper=Lao Press Agency|date=2025-04-04|access-date=2025-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kpl.gov.la/En/detail.aspx/detail.aspx?id=90591|title=Cuban Leaders Extend Condolences Over Former President Khamtay's Passing|newspaper=Lao Press Agency|date=2025-04-06|access-date=2025-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kpl.gov.la/En/detail.aspx/detail.aspx?id=90582|title=Japanese PM Sends Condolences on Former President's Passing|newspaper=Lao Press Agency|date=2025-04-05|access-date=2025-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kpl.gov.la/En/detail.aspx/detail.aspx?id=90580|title=Russian President Sends Message of Condolences on Former President's Passing|newspaper=Lao Press Agency|date=2025-04-05|access-date=2025-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-expresses-condolences-over-death-of-fourth-president-of-laos-166857-2025/|title=Lukashenko expresses condolences over death of fourth president of Laos|newspaper=BELTA News Agency|date=2025-04-04|access-date=2025-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kpl.gov.la/EN/detail.aspx?id=90581|title=Thai King and Queen Express Condolences on the Passing of General Khamtay Siphandone|newspaper=Lao News Agency|date=2025-04-05|access-date=2025-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vietnam.vn/en/dien-chia-buon-dong-chi-khamtay-siphandone-tu-tran|title=Condolences on the passing of comrade Khamtay Siphandone|work=Vietnam.vn|date=2025-04-03|access-date=2025-04-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.news.cn/20250403/3e10f5c586df43428d13b8da6fb7f1af/c.html|title=Urgent: Xi extends condolences over passing of Laos' former president|work=Xinhua|date=2025-04-03|access-date=2025-04-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2994934/thai-pm-sends-condolences-on-passing-of-ex-lao-leader|title=Thai PM sends condolences on passing of ex-Lao leader|work=Bangkok Post|date=2025-04-03|access-date=2025-04-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501664788/hun-manet-extends-condolences-on-the-passing-of-former-lao-president/|title=Hun Manet extends condolences on the passing of former Lao President|first=Taing|last=Rinith|work=Khmer Times|date=2025-04-04|access-date=2025-04-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Statements-Transcripts-and-Photos/2025/04/Condolence-Letters-on-passing-of-former-Lao-President-Khamtay-Siphandone|title=Condolences from Singapore Leaders on the passing of former Lao President Khamtay Siphandone|date=2025-04-07|newspaper=Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore|access-date=2025-04-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=KCNA {{!}} Article {{!}} Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Sends Message of Condolence to Lao President |url=http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/a578f80b83ffe883b5afdf14ac9f82da.kcmsf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1744007924-445428597/respected-comrade-kim-jong-un-sends-message-of-condolence-to-lao-president/ |archive-date=2025-04-07 |website=KCNA}}</ref>{{overcite|date=April 2025}} On 3 April, Lâm led a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to Vientiane to pay respects to Siphandone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.sggp.org.vn/party-chief-to-pay-tribute-to-former-lao-top-leader-in-vientiane-post116748.html|title=Party chief to pay tribute to former Lao top leader in Vientiane|work=Sài Gòn Giải Phóng|date=2025-04-03|access-date=2025-04-03}}</ref> Vietnam announced a period of mourning for two days starting on 4 April. Cuba also announced a period of mourning for one day from 5 April.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-03 |title=Vietnam declares two days of national mourning for former Lao leader |url=https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-declares-two-days-of-national-mourning-for-former-lao-leader-post312808.vnp |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus) |language=vi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kpl.gov.la/En/detail.aspx/detail.aspx?id=90586|title=Cuba declares official mourning for late President Khamtay Siphandone|newspaper=Lao Press Agency|date=2025-04-05|access-date=2025-04-07}}</ref>

Siphandone was granted a [[state funeral]] at the That Luang esplanade in Vientiane on 7 April 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/04/07/state-funeral-for-former-lao-president-khamtay-siphandone-held-in-lao-capital |title=State funeral for former Lao president Khamtay Siphandone held in Lao capital |access-date=8 April 2025 |website=The Star|date=7 April 2025 }}</ref>

==Awards and honours==
*{{flag|Laos}}:
**[[File:LAO_Gold_Medal_of_the_Nation_BAR.svg|60px]] [[National Gold Medal]]
**[[File:Order_of_Phoxay_Lane_Xang.png|60px]] Order of Phoxay Lane Xang

*{{flag|Brunei}}:
**[[File:Family Order of Laila Utama with rosette.svg|60x60px]] [[Family Order of Laila Utama]] (2004)<ref>[https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/2004/01%20DISEMBER%202004.pdf Lelita Brunei – 1 December 2004]</ref>

*{{flag|Cuba}}:
**[[File:CUB_Order_of_Jose_Marti_2nd_type_(after_1979)_ribbon.svg|60px]] [[Order of José Martí]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/republic-of-laos-prime-minister-khamtay-siphandone-reads-an-news-photo/1711362910|title=Republic of Laos' Prime Minister Khamtay Siphandone (C) reads an address 27 April after receiving the Order of Jose Marti from Cuban President Fidel Castro. The Order of Jose Marti is the highest decoration of Cuba and is usually reserved for presidents who have been friendly to Cuba. AFP PHOTO Adalberto ROQUE (Photo by ADALBERTO ROQUE / AFP) (Photo by ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP via Getty Images)|work=Getty Images|date=7 October 2023 |access-date=2025-04-03}}</ref>

*{{flag|Vietnam}}:
**[[File:Vietnam_Gold_Star_ribbon.png|60px]] [[Gold Star Order]] (1993)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chinhphu.vn/default.aspx?pageid=27160&docid=1870|title=Quyết định số 81/KT/CTN của Chủ tịch nước: Quyết định về việc tặng thưởng Huân chương Sao Vàng cho đồng chí Khăm-tày Xi-phan-đon|trans-title=Decision No. 81/KT/CTN of the President: Decision on awarding the Gold Star Order to comrade Khamtai Siphandone|lang=vi|newspaper=chinhphu.vn|date=1993-03-30|access-date=2025-10-02}}</ref>

*{{flag|Soviet Union}}:
**[[File:SU_Order_of_the_Red_Banner_ribbon.svg|60px]] [[Order of the Red Banner]] (1984)<ref>«Красная Звезда» [Red Star newspaper], March 1984</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Phoumi Vongvichit]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=President of the [[Lao Front for National Construction]]|years=1991–2001}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Sisavath Keobounphanh]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Kaysone Phomvihane]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party|Chairman]] of the [[Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]|years=1992–2006}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Choummaly Sayasone]]<br />(General Secretary)}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=None}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of Defense (Laos)|Minister of Defense]]|years=1975–1991}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Choummaly Sayasone]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Kaysone Phomvihane]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of Laos]]|years=1991–1998}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Sisavath Keobounphanh]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Nouhak Phoumsavanh]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President of Laos]]|years=1998–2006}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Choummaly Sayasone]]}}
|-
{{s-dip}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Megawati Sukarnoputri]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairperson of [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]]|years=2004}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Abdullah Ahmad Badawi]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{LPPRGenSecs}}
{{LaosPres}}
{{LaosPMs}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Siphandon, Khamtai}}
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:2025 deaths]]
[[Category:Deputy prime ministers of Laos]]
[[Category:Heads of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Laotian generals]]
[[Category:Laotian men centenarians]]
[[Category:Laotian military leaders]]
[[Category:Members of the 1st Central Committee of the Lao People's Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 2nd Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 2nd Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 3rd Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 3rd Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 3rd Secretariat of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 4th Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 4th Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 4th Secretariat of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 5th Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 5th Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 6th Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 6th Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 7th Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:Members of the 7th Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party]]
[[Category:People from Champasak province]]
[[Category:Presidents of Laos]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of Laos]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner]]
[[Category:People of the Laotian Civil War]]

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Khamtai Siphandone