Thai King approves 200 NLA members

BANGKOK, August 1 (TNA) - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has approved the appointment of 200 members of Thailand's National Legislative Assembly (NLA), with its inaugural meeting set on August 7. The list of NLA members, proposed by the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and endorsed by His Majesty the King in a Royal Command, comprises of 105 active and retired senior military officers, 10 high ranking police officers and 85 academics and businessmen. The Royal Command, announced on Thursday night, also granted a permission for the selection of members of the National Reform Council (NRC). Among those prominent figures appointed to become NLA members include former permanent secretary for defence General General Nipat Thonglek, a former member of the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Klanarong Chantik, and the Chairwoman of the American University Alumni (AUA) Association and a daughter of ex-prime minister Field marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, Khunying Songsuda Yodmanee. Meanwhile, Parliament officials on Friday are preparing documents for the registration of those 200 NLA members, saying they believe that five days should be enough for the members to report themselves. It is believed a meeting to be held immediately after next Thursday's NLA inaugural meeting, with Somporn Tepsitta, the most senior among the newly-appointed 200 NLA members, expected to be selected to chair the first meeting to select the NLA permanent chairperson and deputies. (TNA)