BANGKOK – Thailand’s recently elected parliament is scheduled to conduct its inaugural ceremony this Saturday, March 14, according to an official announcement published in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday.
In last month’s general election, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party emerged victorious, securing 191 out of 500 parliamentary seats. The People’s Party came in second place with 120 seats, while Pheu Thai captured 74 seats.
The parliament’s initial session is planned for March 15, when lawmakers will select a speaker and deputy speaker, according to Siripong Angkasakulkiat, who serves as deputy leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and spoke with Reuters earlier in the week.
Siripong indicated that parliament will most likely conduct voting for a prime ministerial candidate on March 19.
The victorious Bhumjaithai Party has announced intentions to establish a coalition government alongside the third-place Pheu Thai party and additional smaller political parties. This alliance would control a total of 290 parliamentary seats.
According to Bhumjaithai’s Siripong, the newly formed government is anticipated to commence operations in April.
