Who is Ae Khamsouk?

* Laotian revolutionary, politician, and diplomat

* General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) from 1992 to 2006

* President of Laos from 1998 to 2006

* Chairman of the National Assembly from 2006 to 2016

Early life

* Khamsouk Saignasith was born on June 15, 1924, in Houaphan Province, Laos.

* He joined the Pathet Lao, a communist-led resistance movement, in 1945.

* He rose through the ranks of the Pathet Lao, becoming a leading military commander and political figure.

Political career

* After the Pathet Lao took power in Laos in 1975, Saignasith held several important government positions, including Minister of Defense, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Deputy Prime Minister.

* In 1992, he was elected General Secretary of the LPRP, succeeding Kaysone Phomvihane.

* He was elected President of Laos in 1998, succeeding Nouhak Phoumsavanh.

* He retired from his positions as General Secretary and President in 2006, but remained Chairman of the National Assembly until 2016.

Policies and achievements

* Saignasith was a pragmatist who oversaw Laos' transition from a centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented economy.

* He also played a key role in Laos' foreign relations, establishing diplomatic relations with several countries and promoting Laos' integration into the regional and global economy.

* He was known for his commitment to national unity and economic development, and his efforts to improve the living standards of the Lao people.

Death

* Khamsouk Saignasith died on May 10, 2015, at the age of 90.

* He was given a state funeral and his ashes were interred at the National Mausoleum in Vientiane, Laos.