His Majesty the King has called on all parliamentarians to perform their duties to the best of their ability, with responsibility and honesty to benefit the public and move the country forward.
His Majesty made the remarks as he presided over the ceremony to officially open the parliament at the Foreign Affairs Ministry's Vithes Samosorn Hall yesterday.
The King was accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen.
Cabinet ministers, foreign diplomats, 498 MPs and 250 senators were present at the ceremony.
In his opening address before the gathering, His Majesty said, "Now that the general election is complete, I would like to declare the parliament open so that it can proceed with its legislative duty."
"I would like all parliamentarians to realise the importance of performing your duties with responsibility and determination, because the actions of each of you will have a direct impact on the security of the country and the happiness of the people.
"Therefore, it is necessary for all of you to work together and carry out the tasks with honesty, and to the best of your knowledge and ability," the King said.
Pornpetch Wichitcholchai chosen as Senate Speaker
After the ceremony, the Senate held its first meeting, in which Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, former president of the now-defunct National Legislative Assembly, was selected as the Senate speaker.
Gen Singsuek Singphrai was chosen as the first deputy speaker and Supachai Somcharoen, former Election Commission (EC) chairman, the second deputy. The meeting was held in the auditorium at TOT Plc's head office on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok. The selection will be submitted for royal endorsement.
Senators convene at the TOT Auditorium on Chaeng Watthana Road yesterday where they voted for Pornpetch Wichitcholchai as Senate speaker and Gen Singsuek Singphrai and Supachai Somcharoen as his deputies. The selections will be forwarded for royal endorsement.
PPRP-Democrats compete for House Speaker post
Meanwhile, the post of House speaker, who also serves as the parliament president, has become a bone of contention between the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and the Democrat Party as the House of Representatives will today convene for its first session to choose the House speaker and deputies at the same venue for the Senate's first meeting.
The PPRP will nominate Chachoengsao MP Suchart Tancharoen, while the Democrats announced after a joint meeting of MPs and executives yesterday that they will nominate former prime minister Chuan Leekpai.
Capt Thammanat Prompao, chief of the PPRP's strategic committee in the North, insisted the PPRP will nominate Mr Suchart for House speaker, and it will not support candidates from other parties.
"Our mission is to make Mr Suchart the House speaker. The post should belong to the PPRP, which will form the core of a coalition government. This will also be an advantage when it comes to nominating a prime ministerial candidate," Capt Thammanat said.
Chartthaipattana Party backs PPRP-led camp
Chartthaipattana Party leader Kanchana Silpa-archa yesterday said the party, which has 10 MPs, has agreed that it will vote in support of the PPRP's candidate for House speaker.
However, she refused to comment on the prime ministerial vote. "Let's take it step by step," she said.
Meanwhile, Puea Chat Party leader Songkram Kijlertpairote, outgoing New Economics Party leader Mingkwan Sangsuwan and Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit insisted that their MPs will stay with the Pheu Thai-led camp.
Thaworn Senneam, a Democrat MP for Songkhla, denied reports that 27 MPs belonging to his faction would defy the party's resolution on its House speaker candidate and vote for candidates from other parties.
He insisted he would comply with the resolution.