Laotian Prime Minister. Phouma was known for trying to maintain Laos' neutrality during his several tenures as prime minister. He was the nephew of King Sisavangvong of Laos. Phouma went into public service in his early adulthood and served until going into exile after the French occupied Laos after the Second World War. He came back in 1949 after France had granted some autonomy to Laos and from 1951 to 1954, served as prime minister. Phouma returned to the premiership in 1956 as part of a coalition government containing both rightists and communists. The coalition broke apart two years later and civil war broke out in the country. He would again serve as prime minister during two tenures during the 1960s and early 1970s. Phouma tried to maintain the country's neutrality during this time of war in neighboring Vietnam, but later had to rely on military assistance from the United States. After the United States began to withdraw from Vietnam, his government signed a ceasefire with the Pathet Lao, a communist group in 1973. In 1974 a coalition government was formed and Phouma would retain the premiership until resigning a year later when the People's Democratic Republic of Laos was formed. He remained an advisor to the government until he passed away.

Laotian Prime Minister. Phouma was known for trying to maintain Laos' neutrality during his several tenures as prime minister. He was the nephew of King Sisavangvong of Laos. Phouma went into public service in his early adulthood and served until going into exile after the French occupied Laos after the Second World War. He came back in 1949 after France had granted some autonomy to Laos and from 1951 to 1954, served as prime minister. Phouma returned to the premiership in 1956 as part of a coalition government containing both rightists and communists. The coalition broke apart two years later and civil war broke out in the country. He would again serve as prime minister during two tenures during the 1960s and early 1970s. Phouma tried to maintain the country's neutrality during this time of war in neighboring Vietnam, but later had to rely on military assistance from the United States. After the United States began to withdraw from Vietnam, his government signed a ceasefire with the Pathet Lao, a communist group in 1973. In 1974 a coalition government was formed and Phouma would retain the premiership until resigning a year later when the People's Democratic Republic of Laos was formed. He remained an advisor to the government until he passed away.

Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye