Parliament will convene on May 22 — the fifth anniversary of the 2014 military coup — now that the names of 99% of the 500 MPs and all 250 senators have been officially announced.
The Royal Gazette on Tuesday published the royal decree dated Sunday and countersigned by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. It referred to the March 24 election and Section 121 of the constitution which required Parliament convene within 15 days after the announcement of the election results.
Earlier on Tuesday, Gen Prayut declined to comment on the formation of a new government and its cabinet line-up but said he respected the voices of politicians as people elected them.
"It is the business of political parties. They must be respected as they are in to solve national problems. I listened to the policies of many of them and they are good," Gen Prayut said.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said His Majesty the King would preside over the opening ceremony on May 24. The two houses will then vote to choose their respective speakers and their deputies the next day.
After that their names will be submitted to His Majesty the King. Once they are endorsed, the two houses will vote on the new prime minister, which requires a majority vote, or 376, of 750 in both houses. The new PM is expected to known this month, Mr Wissanu said.
The prime minister will then form the new government.
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