(CTN News) – The newly elected Thailand Senate Speaker, Mongkol Surasajja, and his two deputies were sworn in on Saturday, however the speaker did not talk about his view on the constitutional change drive in parliament.
During a ceremony in parliament on Saturday, Mongkol Surasajja and his deputies, Gen Kriangkrai Srirak and Boonsong Noisophon, were given a royal command that formally welcomed them to their positions.
Senators and high-ranking officials were there to accept the royal command, which was delivered to the occasion by Natjaree Anantasilp, the cabinet secretary-general.
Ms Natjaree read the command, which named Mongkol Surasajja, a former Buri Ram governor, as the new Senate speaker, Gen Kriangkrai, a former adviser to Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, as the first deputy speaker, and Mr Boonsong, a former election commissioner, as the second deputy speaker. The swearing-in ceremony marks the end of the appointment process, and the speaker and his deputies have formally commenced their duties.
Mongkol Surasajja was elected speaker of the Senate by his colleagues last week with 159 out of 200 votes. General Kriangkrai received 150 votes, while Mr Boonsong received 167 votes. The speakership votes came after three-tier intra- and inter-professional elections, which were held on different days at the district, province, and national levels.
Thailand’s Senate Welcomes New Speaker and Deputies Amid Political Speculation
The so-called “blue” bloc, which refers to Bhumjaithai, is thought to be the largest of the three factions in the new Upper House. Other senators are thought to be strongly affiliated to the red camp, which is believed to be the ruling Pheu Thai Party, while the orange group is thought to be close to the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP).
Last week’s voting results were delivered to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who presented them to His Majesty the King for royal approval.
After the event on Saturday, Mr Mongkol said he couldn’t stop people from guessing about any senators’ political affiliations or proximity to political individuals. He has spent his entire life in the public service and has encountered a wide range of people. To suggest he is unfamiliar with or was never close to anyone would be inaccurate.
“However, when it comes to legislative duties, it’s a very different situation. “The duty must be carried out in accordance with ethics, the law, and tradition,” the incoming Senate speaker stated.
He stated that he and his deputies have pledged to protect and preserve the nation, religion, and king. Mongkol Surasajja, on the other hand, refuses to comment on how he planned to handle the constitutional amendment issue, which has been raised by several parliamentarians.
Source: Bangkok Post
