Career
Khamtai also served as chairman, or leader, of the communist Lao People"s Revolutionary Party, the only legal party in the country, from 24 November 1992, until 21 March 2006, when he was replaced by Choummaly. As expected, he stepped down as President soon after the April 30, 2006, National Assembly elections. He was the military commander of the Pathet Lao rebellion.
On its takeover of the Laotian government in 1975 he became minister of defence, commander of the army, and a deputy prime minister.
On the creation of a presidential republic in 1991, he became prime minister, succeeding party leader Kaysone Phomvihane, who became president General Khamtai Siphandon became party leader on Kaysone"s death, and later succeeded Nouhak Phoumsavanh as president
At the 8th Party Congress in 2006, he became an Advisor to the LPRP Central Committee.