BANGKOK, Aug 7 — On behalf of His Majesty the King, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn ceremonially today opened the session of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).
Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, chief of the Army and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), together with NLA members and concerned officials received HRH the Crown Prince at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall before the inaugural ceremony took place there at 3pm.
The inauguration followed the appointment of NLA members by virtue of the 2014 provisional constitution of Thailand. His Majesty the King issued a royal decree to convene the NLA today.
There are 197 NLA members after three members resigned. The latest resignation came from Maj Gen Intarat Yodbangtoei who was earlier suspended from politics for five years due to the disbandment of his Matchimatipataya Party, which disqualified him from being an NLA member in accordance with the interim Constitution.
Tomorrow the NLA will choose its chair and vice chair. The NCPO chief will then nominate their names for royal approval that is expected by Tuesday. The assembly will then select the next prime minister and work out its regulations.
