Dr Phet Phomphiphak (left) and Dr Thongsalith Mangnomek display the signed documents on the handing over of positions.

Party, State reshuffles officially carried out

Reshuffles in the Party and state bodies have been officially carried out following the recent announcement on the merger of key ministries and major changes in key positions in these organisations.
On Wednesday, the former Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Phet Phomphiphak, officially took up his new post as the Head of the Office of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee. He replaced Dr Thongsalith Mangnomek, who was appointed the Minister of Education and Sports.
Addressing the official ceremony marking the handing over of positions, Vice President Bounthong Chitmany said the reshuffle is a requirement of duty, aimed at improving the organisational structure and personnel in the current circumstances.
On the same day, Dr Linkham Douangsavanh assumed office as Minister of Agriculture and Environment, the newly established entity formed through the merger of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
On Monday, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism held a meeting that announced the shift of media affairs, which will be overseen by the Propaganda Committee of the Party Central Board, ending long-time oversight by the government.
This change sees key state media bodies – the ministry’s Media Department, Lao News Agency, Lao National Television, Lao National Radio, and Lao Press in Foreign Languages, the publisher of Vientiane Times – now being overseen by the Propaganda Board.
This follows the recent announcements on the merger of key ministries and major reshuffles in the Party and state bodies. Recently, the Party Central Committee adopted a resolution that announced the merger of the Ministry of Planning and Investment with the Ministry of Finance, which retains its name. The Ministry of Energy and Mines was merged with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, which too will retain its name.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was merged with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to create the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
The Ministry of Home Affairs was placed under the Party Central Committee’s Personnel and Organisation Committee. The works of governance, mapping and religion regulation affairs, among others, which were previously under the Ministry of Home Affairs, were transferred to the Prime Minister’s Office and other ministries whose duties are aligned.
Recently, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee also passed a reshuffle proposal submitted by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone to adjust his new cabinet. Former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mrs Bounkham Vorachit, has been appointed the Governor of the Bank of the Lao PDR, replacing Mrs Vatthana Dalaloy, who was serving as the Acting Governor.
Mr Santiphab Phomvihane continues to serve as Minister of Finance after the Ministry of Planning and Investment was merged with his ministry.
Former Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Vilayvong Bouddakham, will assume a new role at the Organisation and Personnel Committee of the Party Central Committee, following the dissolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Former Minister of Energy and Mines, Mr Phosay Sayasone, has been appointed the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare after his former ministry was merged with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Mrs Baykham Khattiya, who has been replaced by Mr Phosay, now becomes Minister of Health, succeeding Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, who has retired.
Mr Malaythong Kommasith retains his post as Minister of Industry and Commerce, following the merger of the Ministry of Energy and Mines with his ministry. The official handing over of the remaining reshuffled positions are expected to take place in the coming days or weeks.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
 (Latest Update June 19, 2025)