Khamtai siphandon

Khamtai Siphandon (February 8, 1924) is a Laotian politician and soldier. He was president of Laos from February 24, 1998 until June 8, 2006, when he was officially succeeded by Choummaly Sayasone.

He was also secretary general (leader) of the communist-oriented Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the only legal party in the country, from November 24, 1992 to March 21, 2006 when he was replaced by Choummaly.

He was previously a military leader of the Pathet Lao. After coming to power in 1975, he was appointed defense minister, army chief and deputy prime minister. After the creation of the Presidential Republic in 1991 he became prime minister, succeeding party leader Kaysone Phomvihane, who became president. After the latter's death, he became the party's leader and later became president, replacing Nouhak Phoumsavanh.