Foreign leaders extend condolences over former Lao President’s passing

Foreign leaders have sent messages to their Lao counterparts, extending condolences over the passing of former Lao President Khamtay Siphandone.
General Khamtay, who was also a former Chairman of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, died on April 2 at the age of 102.
The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, the President, the Government, the National Assembly, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee on April 2 sent messages of condolence to their Lao counterparts to express their sympathy, while also recalling General Khamtay’s many virtues.
The messages hailed Comrade Khamtay Siphandone as being an outstanding leader of the first generation, a key nucleus of the LPRP Central Committee, an eminent son of the Lao people, and a steadfast revolutionary soldier who dedicated his life to national independence, the freedom and happiness of the people, and the prosperous development of Laos.
His passing is a great loss to the Party, State, and people of Laos, as well as to his family. The Party, State, army, and people of Vietnam have also lost a great friend and close comrade who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Vietnamese leadership and people throughout the long wars of resistance courageously fought by both nations.
He gave unwavering support to the Vietnamese people’s efforts in national construction and defence and made significant contributions to building, consolidating, and advancing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
The Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and people of Vietnam extend their deepest condolences to the Party, State, Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Development, and the people of Laos, as well as to the family of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone, the messages stated. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a message to Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, extending his profound sympathy over the passing of former President Khamtay Siphandone.
President Xi, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, extended profound condolences to the LPRP, the Lao government and people over the passing of Khamtay Siphandone, and expressed sincere sympathies to his family on behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government and people, and in his own name.
In his message to President Thongloun, who is also Secretary General of the LPRP Central Committee, Xi hailed Comrade General Khamtay as a steadfast communist, an outstanding leader of the older generation of the Lao Party and State, and a close comrade and friend of the CPC and the Chinese people.
President Xi said Khamtay had devoted his life to Laos’ reform and socialist development, making significant contributions to the development of relations between the two parties and countries, adding that the Chinese people will always cherish his memory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a message to President Thongloun to offer his deepest sympathy over the passing of former President Khamtay. 
He noted that President Khamtay was an inspired leader who fought for his country and made great contributions to the founding of the Lao PDR.  President Putin said the Russian Federation will always remember President Khamtay’s merits as a leader who consistently supported the development of friendly relations between Laos and Russia, which made a significant contribution to strengthening bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit. 
In addition, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, on behalf of the government and people of Japan, sent a message of condolence to Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, expressing deepest sympathy to the Prime Minister, the Siphandone family, the government, and the people of Laos. PM Shigeru said former President Khamtay Siphandone had made great contributions to the development of Laos. While serving as Prime Minister, President Khamtay visited Japan, making an important contribution to enhancing the friendly relations between the two countries.
 Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra also sent messages of condolence to President Thongloun Sisoulith and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone respectively.
In His Majesty’s message to President Thongloun, the King extended profound condolences, on behalf of the Thai people, to the President, the Lao people, and the family of former President Khamtay. 
The King said the passing of President Khamtay was the loss of a great leader and statesman for Laos. Under the leadership of the former President, the reform of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic had progressed with stability and security, especially in terms of economic and social development.
While serving as Prime Minister, His Excellency Khamtay played an important role in strengthening relations between the two neighbouring countries, his message stated.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update April 7, 2025)