The list of 250 senators is likely to be forwarded for royal endorsement on May 10, within three days of the poll results being endorsed, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Saturday.
He said the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has chosen 50 names from a shortlist of 200 candidates from an intra-group selection process, and asked them if they will accept the job.
"Some have declined the offers and the NCPO is considering those in the reserve list," he said.
Mr Wissanu said those who agree to become senators must meet constitutional and legal requirements. Among them are rules regarding senators' qualifications, including that senators must not own shares in media firms or companies which are granted state concessions.
Mr Wissanu said the NCPO has almost finished selecting 194 names of candidates proposed by a special committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. Under the 2016 charter, the regime-appointed Senate will serve a five-year term and its first task is to join the House of Representatives in voting to select the prime minister.
Fifty are selected from a shortlist of 200 candidates chosen in an intra-group process by various social groups and professions. Another 194 senators are chosen by the NCPO, and the remaining six seats reserved for the three armed forces leaders, the supreme commander, the defence permanent secretary and the national police chief.
The senators must be appointed within three days of the polls being endorsed and the Election Commission (EC) expects to announce the result in the constituency system on May 8.
Mr Wissanu refused to say how many cabinet ministers would be appointed senators following reports that some ministers had tendered their resignation.
"The May 7 cabinet meeting might be the last for some ministers, but not the last for the government because it remains unknown when a new government will be in place," he said.
At least two ministers -- Natural Resources and Environment Minister Surasak Karnjanarat and Labour Minister Adul Sangsingkeo -- are reported as preparing to step down to become senators.
It is reported that Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), is tipped to become a senator. He has reportedly resigned as a member of the Council of State.
Other NLA members widely speculated to become senators include Surachai Liangboonlertchai, Pirasak Porjit, Somchai Sawaengkarn and Wanlop Tangkhananurak.
