His Majesty endorses parliament assembly

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/249439/his-majesty-endorses-parliament-assembly

His Majesty endorses parliament assembly

• Published: 30/07/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

His Majesty the King yesterday endorsed a royal decree authorising the opening of an assembly of parliament on Monday to be followed the next day by the election of the House Speaker.

Scent of awoman 
Presumptive prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra receives a warm welcome from supporters bearing flowers at a municipality market on Phosi Road in Udon Thani's Muang district. She is travelling around the province to thank people for Pheu Thai's victory in the recent election. The province is a stronghold of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.

The Election Commission has endorsed 496 MPs this week, which exceeds the required minimum number of 475 of the total 500 needed for the House to convene.

Pitoon Pumhiran, secretary-general of the House of Representatives, said the opening ceremony will be presided over by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on Monday. On Tuesday, a House meeting will be held to elect the House speaker.

Mr Pitoon said former House Speaker Chai Chidchob, as the most senior MP, will temporarily act as the speaker during the first House meeting to select a new House Speaker.

The election of the House Speaker needs to be royally endorsed, a process which could take up to a week.

• EC promised: Jatuporn decision Monday

After the speaker post is royally endorsed, a separate House meeting will be called to elect the new prime minister.

Outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said earlier that he expected to remain in the prime minister's seat until Aug 10. Meanwhile, prospective prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she is willing to consider the nomination of Col Apiwan Wiriyachai for the post of House Speaker.

Col Apiwan, a former deputy House speaker and Pheu Thai list MP, has been nominated for the post by red shirts who are party MPs.

Col Apiwan is also a key member of the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.

A source said Khon Kaen MP Somsak Kiatsuranont is also a strong contender. Mr Somsak has managed to distance himself from the red shirts, which means he is unlikely to be a target for attack from the opposition, while Col Apiwan is a UDD co-leader and so more vulnerable to opposition criticism.

Ms Yingluck dismissed suggestions she was under pressure to make a decision on who will be given the speaker's post and said she was ready to listen to party members's suggestions.

However, she said party members should try to understand if their nominees are not picked. Ms Yingluck added candidates for the speaker's post must be well-versed in law and have experience in parliamentary affairs.