20 September 2024

Thailand’s post-election government is expected to be formed in June, if the Election Commission (EC) is able to announce the official results of the March 24th general election by May 8th and endorse the 250 junta-appointed senators three days later, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngarm on Thursday.

 

He also hinted that some ministers in Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s Cabinet and members of the National Council for Peace and Order had been named senators, but they must quit their posts before their appointments receive Royal assent.

 

According to the timeline, Dr. Wissanu says that the first joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives is due to take place 15 days after the announcement of the election results by the EC, which would be on May 23, with His Majesty the King presiding over the first parliamentary meeting as a traditional practice.

 

After the ceremonial opening of parliament by HM the King, the House and the Senate will separately convene to elect the House Speaker and the Senate President.

 

The House Speaker, who will serve as president of the Parliament, will set the date for a joint session of the two houses to elect the prime minister from among the candidates nominated by political parties.