Somsanith Vongkotrattana
Prime Minister of Laos (1913–1975)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Prince Somsanith Vongkotrattana (Lao: ເຈົ້າສົມສນິດ ວົງກົຕຣັຕນະ; 19 April 1913 – 1975)[1] also known as Tiao Somsanith[2] was the Prime Minister of Laos in 1960.
Prince Somsanith Vongkotrattana | |
|---|---|
ເຈົ້າສົມສະນິດ ວົງກົຕຣັຕນະ | |
| 10th Prime Minister of Laos | |
| In office 3 June 1960 – 15 August 1960 | |
| Monarch | Sisavang Vatthana |
| Deputy | Phoumi Nosavan Unknown |
| Leader | Phoumi Nosavan Kong Le |
| Preceded by | Kou Abhay |
| Succeeded by | Prince Souvanna Phouma |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 April 1913 |
| Died | 1975 (aged 61–62) |
| Party | Committee for the Defence of the National Interests |
| Profession | Prime Minister |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Royal Lao Police |
| Rank | Brigadier general.gif){kind=small} |
| Commands | Royal Lao Police (1954–1958) |
| Battles/wars | First Indochina War, Laotian Civil War |
He was born in Luang Prabang, Laos. His mother, Princess Sanghiemkham, was one of Prince Bounkhong's daughters making Prince Souvanna Phouma, Prince Souphanouvong, Prince Phetsarath and Prince Kindavong his step uncles. His father was Prince Khamman Vongkotrattana who after a career in government service became a historian.[3]
Somsanith was the minister of interior and justice in the Lao Issara government from 1945 to 1946, and followed the cabinet into exile in Thailand 1946-1949.[4] Following his return to Laos, he was first appointed Director General of the Laotian National Police, with the rank of Brigadier general (1954–1958),[5][6][7] being afterwards minister of finance (1959-1960) and minister of justice. He was appointed Prime Minister of Laos by the king in June 1960, and his government was overthrown later in 1960.[4]
He was elected President of National Assembly from 1961 to 1963.[4]
