Opening parliament, HM the King urges MPs to uphold righteousness and the public interest

Their Majesties the King and Queen presided over the opening of the parliament at 5pm today.

In his brief opening speech to members of parliament, the King urged them to uphold righteousness and the public interest as paramount objectives in their performance of their legislative duties.

The King also reminded them to perform their duties in line with the Constitution for the benefit of the country and its people.

The House of Representatives will hold the first meeting on Sunday, to elect the House Speaker and two deputies.

Tipped to be elected House Speaker is Sophon Zaram, a senior member of the Bhumjaithai party. The first deputy House Speaker will be a Bhumjaithai MP and the Pheu Thai party has nominated Lertsak Pattanachaikul as the second deputy House speaker.

After that, the new House Speaker will set a date for the election of the prime minister.

The coalition parties will nominate Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai party leader and the incumbent caretaker prime minister, as the new prime minister of a coalition government consisting of the Bhumjaithai, Pheu Thai and Palang Pracharath parties plus 13 small parties with 1 or 2 MPs each.

It is reported that the People’s party may nominate Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the party’s leader, for prime minister.