Royal command appoints Sophon Saram as House speaker

2026-03-16 - 09:13

BANGKOK — Sophon Saram on Monday formally received the royal command appointing him Speaker of the House of Representatives at a ceremony held at Parliament. The ceremony, held at 14:30, also saw Mallika Jirapanvanich receive the royal command appointing her as First Deputy House Speaker, and Lertsak Phattanachaiyakul as Second Deputy House Speaker. The appointment ceremony was conducted before the royal portrait of His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn at the parliament complex. Cabinet members, representatives from political parties including Bhumjaithai, Pheu Thai and Prachachart, as well as senior officials from the Secretariat of the Cabinet and the Secretariat of the House of Representatives attended the event. Participants later gathered for a commemorative group photograph in front of the royal portrait. Following the ceremony, Sophon said he plans to schedule a parliamentary session to vote for a new prime minister on 19 March. He said he hoped Thailand would have a fully empowered government before the Songkran festival, noting that the country is currently facing multiple challenges and requires a government able to operate with full authority. When asked about the proposed constitutional amendments left unresolved by the previous parliament, Sophon said the matter would depend on the position of the incoming government and would have to wait until the new cabinet assumes office.