BANGKOK, (PNA/Xinhua) — Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly (NLA), the newly-formed legislative body, on Friday morning convened the first session to select its president and two vice presidents.
Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, a legal advisor to the military junta, or the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), was selected as the NLA president.
Former Senate speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai was selected to be the first vice president and former deputy Senate speaker Peerasak Porchit the second vice president.
A royally-endorsed list of 200 NLA members was announced late July, three of whom were later found ineligible for the post or declined to take it. Of the remaining 197 members, 193 attended the Friday’s meeting.
The interim charter that came into effect earlier stipulates that the NLA be assigned with responsibilities of the House of Representatives and Senate.
NLA members are now expected to nominate an interim prime minister to be appointed by the king. The interim PM will select up to 35 cabinet members.
NCPO chief Prayuth Chan-ocha is deemed to be the top candidate for the PM post.