21-6-2023 (BANGKOK) A joint sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate is set to meet on July 13 to select a new prime minister, according to a source at the cabinet meeting. Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam stated that the selection of a new House speaker is expected to take place on July 6, followed by the selection of a new prime minister on July 13. The appointment of the new cabinet is expected on July 21, with the swearing-in ceremony for new ministers taking place later in July. However, the specific dates will be set by the House speaker.
The work calendar for the outgoing cabinet was explained by Mr. Wissanu after the Election Commission endorsed all 500 MPs elected in the May 14 general election. The formal opening of the new parliament will take place on July 3, and the state opening of parliament will be presided over by His Majesty the King. The selection of the new House speaker and two deputies will take place within 10 days from the day the new parliament convenes.
A joint sitting of parliament will then convene to select a new prime minister in the middle of next month, although the constitution does not stipulate a specific date for the selection. The appointment of the new cabinet is expected to be announced in the third week of July, with the new cabinet taking the oath of office before His Majesty the King by the end of July. The outgoing government will step down after the new cabinet is sworn into office.
Mr. Wissanu stated that after the EC endorsed all 500 MPs on Monday, they had to report to parliament from Tuesday until Saturday. Parliament officials will then inform the government how many MPs report in, and the government will then ask the King to preside over the state opening of the new parliament.
The new House speaker must be selected within 10 days from the day the new parliament opens, with the speaker scheduling the selection of a new prime minister shortly thereafter. In the past, a candidate from a minority party has been nominated and selected as the House speaker, and outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will countersign the royal command appointing the new House speaker.
