PM Thongloun elected as Party Chief by XI Party Congress

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith was elected on Friday as Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee – the top post in the Party - replacing retiring Party leader Bounnhang Vorachit.
Mr Bounnhang, who is the current state President and whose five-year term as state leader is about to end, held the position as Party Secretary General for five years after being elected in 2016.

In recent history, the Party leader also holds the position of state President.
As Mr Bounnhang’s presidency and current government term near their conclusion, the National Assembly (NA) is expected to convene in the coming month or months following its general election slated for late February.
The NA’s ninth legislature will elect a new state leadership including the president and prime minister, and approve a new government cabinet.
Mr Thongloun is expected to be elected as state president if the abovementioned custom is maintained.
PM Thongloun was elected as Party leader by the inaugural congress of the Party Central Committee (PCC), whose members were newly elected at the three-day 11th National Party Congress which ended on Friday.  
The National Party Congress, attended by 768 delegates, elected 71 PCC members, an increase of two over the previous 69 members. It also elected new 10 PCC alternative members, an increase of two compared to the previous eight.
The National Party Congress is held every five years and elects a new Party leadership to lead the overall tasks of the nation for the next five years.  
The PCC’s inaugural congress also elected 13 members of the Politburo – the top body in Lao politics. These increased by two compared to the previous 11 members.
The inaugural congress elected nine and seven members to the PCC’s secretariat and inspection committee respectively.
Those elected to core Party posts currently hold key positions in state bodies and are expected to do so for the next five years. 
Following is a list of members of the XI Party Central Committee (with their current positions in brackets).
1.  Dr Thongloun Sisoulith (Prime Minister)
2.  Dr Phankham Viphavanh (Vice President)
3.  Mrs Pany Yathotou (President of the National Assembly)
4.  Dr Bounthong Chitmany (Deputy Prime Minster)
5.  Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane (President of Lao Front for National Development)
6.  Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath (Minister of National Defence)
7.  Dr Khamphanh Phommathat (Head of PCC’s Propaganda and Training Board)
8.  Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune (Mayor of Vientiane)
9.  Dr Sonexay Siphandone (Deputy PM, Minister of Planning and Investment)
10.       Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune (Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism)
11.       Lieutenant General Vilay Lakhamfong (Minister of Public Security)
12.       Ms Sisay Leudetmounsone (Vice President of the National Assembly)
13.       Mr Saleumxay Kommasith (Minister of Foreign Affairs)
14.       Dr Khamphanh Pheuyavong (Governor of Oudomxay province)
15.       Dr Anouphab Tounalom (President of Vientiane People’s Council)
16.       Assoc. Prof. Dr Thongsalith Mangnomek (Head of Administrative Office of the Party Central Committee)
17.       Dr Sounthone Sayachack (Head of External Relations Committee of the PCC)
18.       Dr Viengthong Siphandone (President of the State Audit Organisation)
19.       Prof. Dr Chaleun Yiapaoher (Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office)
20.       Mr Khambay Damlath (Vice President of the Lao Front for National Development)
21.       Mr Sommad Pholsena (Minister of Natural Resources and Environment)
22.       Dr Khampheng Saysompheng (Minister of Labour and Social Welfare)
23.       Lieutenant General Souvone Leuangbounmy (Deputy Minister of National Defence)
24.       Mr Khamjane Vongphosy (Head of Administrative Office of the PM’s Office)
25.       Mr Khamphanh Sitthidampha (Governor of Vientiane province)
26.       Mr Khampheuy Bouddavieng (Vice President of the Lao Front for National Development)
27.       Lieutenant General Dr Thongloy Silivong (Deputy Minister of National Defence)
28.       Dr Kongkeo Xaysongkham (Governor of Borikhamxay province)
29.       Dr Inlavanh Keobounphanh (President of the Lao Women’s Union)
30.       Mr Khamkhanh Chanthavisouk (Governor of Luang Prabang province)
31.       Mrs Khemmani Pholsena (Minister of Industry and Commerce)
32.       Prof. Dr Boviengkham Vongdara (Minister of Science and Technology)
33.       Dr Sonethanou Thammavong (President of the National Economic and Social Science Institute)
34.       Dr Vilayvong Bouddakham (Governor of Champassak province)
35.       Dr Phet Phomphiphak (Minister of Agriculture and Forestry)
36.       Mr Phongsavanh Sitthavong (Governor of Xayaboury province)
37.       Mr Vanxay Phengxoumma (Governor of Huaphan province)
38.       Mr Santiphab Phomvihane (Governor of Savannakhet province)
39.       Mrs Bounkham Vorachit (Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment)
40.       Dr Buakhong Nammavong (Governor of Bokeo province)
41.       Mr Sonexay Sitphaxay (Governor of the Bank of the Lao PDR)
42.       Mrs Baykham Khattiya (Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare)
43.       Mr Alounxay Sounnalath (Secretary General of the Lao Youth Union)
44.       Mrs Suansavanh Viyaket (Head of Secretariat of the National Assembly)
45.       Dr Phoxay Sayasone (Governor of Saravan province)
46.       Mr Laopaoxong Navongxay (Vice President of National Economic and Social Science Institute)
47.       Mr Let Xayaphone (Governor of Attapeu province)
48.       Major General Khamlieng Outhakaysone (Governor of Xaysomboun province)
49.       Mr Bounchom Oubonpaseuth (Deputy Minister of Finance)
50.       Mr Khamfoy Vannasane (Governor of Phongsaly province)
51.       Mr Leklay Sivilay (Governor of Xekong province)
52.       Mr Viengsavath Siphandone (Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport)
53.       Mr Khamlay Sipaseuth (Governor of Luang Namtha province)
54.       Associate Prof. Dr Phouth Simmalavong (Deputy Minister of Education and Sports)
55.       Mr Vanxay Fongsavanh (Governor of Khammuan province)
56.       Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith (Deputy Minister of Health)
57.       Mrs Aly Vongnorbountham (President of Lao Federation of Trade Unions)
58.       Mr Phayvy Siboualipha (Deputy Minister of Justice)
59.       Associate Prof. Phouvong Ounkhamsaen (Head of the National Institute of Politics and Public Administration)
60.       Dr Thongchanh Manixay (Minister of Home Affairs)
61.       Mr Bounchanh Sivongphanh (Deputy Governor of Xieng Khuang province)
62.       Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane (Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs)
63.       Mr Xaysana Khotphouthone (Deputy Head of People’s Supreme Prosecutor)
64.       Mr Atsaphangthong Siphandone (Vice Mayor of Vientiane)
65.       Dr Leeber Leebouapao (Chairman of the National Assembly’s Planning, Finance and Audit Committee)
66.       Ms Boutsady Thanameuang (Director General of Civil Servant Management Department, Personnel and Organisation Committee of the Party Central Committee)
67.       Major General Kongthong Phongvichith (Deputy Minister of Public Security)
68.       Major General Dr Vongkham Phommakone (Director General of General Logistics Department, Ministry of National Defence)
69.       Mrs Pingkham Lasasimma (Vice Chairperson of the Economic, Technology and Environment Committee of the National Assembly)
70.       Major General Vanthong Kongmany (Director General of General Political Department, Ministry of Public Security)
71.       Dr Daovong Phonekeo (Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines)
For lists of members of other Party bodies, see page 10 and 11.

BySouksakhone Vaenkeo
(Latest Update January 16, 2021)