Katay Don Sasorith

Katay Don Sasorith (July 12, 1904 – December 29, 1959) was a Laos nationalist, politician, author, and prime minister of Laos (1954–1956).

After working as a civil servant, Katay became chief spokesman of the national resistance movement against the Japanese and then the French, during and after World War II. He held a short-lived post as minister of finance in the provisional government, but had to join the government in exile in Thailand. He published a newspaper under the pseudonym William Rabbit (Katay meaning rabbit).

After returning to Vientiane in 1949, Katay was elected prime minister in 1954. In that position, he managed to play on U.S. fears of the Viet Minh invading Laos to get substantial aid for his country. He was succeeded in 1956 by prince Souvanna Phouma.

Katay Don Sasorith died in Vientiane, Laos.

Works

• Contribution à l’histoire du mouvement d’indépendance national Lao ("Contribution to the History of the Lao National Independence Movement", 1948)