The first Chairman of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party who was briefly the President of Laos from 1991 to 1992. He was known for expertly and diplomatically dealing with Vietnam.
He earned his law degree from Hanoi University in Vietnam.
He served as the Prime Minister of Laos from 1975 to 1991.
He was married to Thongvinh Phomvinhane and his son Sanyahak Phomvihane was a Major General before his death in July, 2013.
He succeeded Souvanna Phouma as the Prime Minister of Laos in 1975.
