Thailand's interim parliament to hold first session

Thailand's newly-appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA), as the interim parliament whose prime responsibility is to draft a new Constitution for the country, is scheduled to convene its first session Friday, Thai media reported Sunday.

The Royal Decree countersigned by Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and announced on Saturday evening, called the first meeting of the 242-member new legislative body, eight days after King Bhumibol Adulyadej endorsed its membership, which was selected by the Council for National Security (CNS), the military authority body that led the Sept. 19 coup ousting former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The main item on the agenda of NLA's first session will be the selection of NLA's president, a report from Thai News Agency said.

Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, CNS chairman said earlier that the military council will not intervene in the NLA's process of selecting a chairman for itself, but affirmed that he was confident that the legislative assembly will function well as a parliament, particularly in amending the Constitution to benefit all classes and sections of Thai society.

Under the interim charter announced by CNS, NLA is mandated to serve as the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Parliament. NLA members can submit a motion to question cabinet members, but the ministers have the right to refuse to answer. The legislators cannot pass a vote of confidence or no-confidence.

The 242 members appointed include persons from all walks of life, such as politicians, academics, retired and serving civil servants, representatives from Muslim organizations in the far South, civic group members and media professionals.

Source: Xinhua