King endorses NLA members

His Majesty the King on Thursday night endorsed a list of 200 members for the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). 

The list of 200 members was published in the Royal Gazette after the endorsement.

National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha forwarded the list to HM the King on Thursday. Gen Prayuth was granted an audience with His Majesty at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan on Thursday.

The NLA comprises 200 members handpicked by the military regime, more than half of them being retired or active officers in the armed forces.

Prominent civilans include former commerce minister Narongchai Akrasanee and former deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs Somkid Jatusripitak.

Visanu Krue-ngam, a legal adviser to the NCPO, is not on the list.

Gen Prayuth and other top NCPO leaders have said the NLA could hold its first meeting by mid-August and a new cabinet could be formed by September.

At the first meeting the new NLA members will select the speaker. After that they will vote on a prime minister and form the government.

A source said the first meeting of the NLA could be held on Aug 7.

Source: Bangkok Post