Of 242 appointees to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), 209 had reported for duty as of yesterday.

The NLA will hold its first session on Friday presided over by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.

The vote for speaker is expected next Tuesday.

Legislator Prasong Soonsiri expressed a desire for legislators to hold a free vote for the position rather than rely on behind-the-scenes lobbying. He would take no action to influence the outcome.

NLA member Gothom Arya would not make up his mind until he saw a full list of candidates. That was expected to be announced after Friday's opening ceremony.

Gothom said contender Meechai Ruchuphan, a former Senate speaker, faced strong opposition because of his long and extensive ties to previous legislatures and governments.

"When one is involved for so long one is prone to accumulate friends as well as enemies," he said.

His ideal candidate would have an in-depth understanding of procedure so he or she could guide legislative deliberations.

Legislator General Somdhat Attanand said he would consult colleagues before making up his mind.

Member Patchara Yutitham-damrong said the NLA should be able to pass a substantial amount of legislation during its one-year term.

Meanwhile, NLA lawmaker Rangsan Sangsuk said a petition opposing his appointment was motivated by disgruntled employees dismissed from Ramkham-haeng University. Rangsan is the university's president.

Meanwhile, Meechai yesterday defended himself against allegations that he received financial support from ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and served his administration by drafting business laws. Campaign for Popular Democracy secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila has campaigned against the possibility of Meechai being made speaker of the NLA.

Meechai answered a letter to him on his website www.meechaithailand.com that he was hired by the Industrial Estate of Thailand to develop industrial estates into economic zones.

"It is like Thammasat University lecturers being hired by the government to write a law on Suvarnabhumi City. I received the same amount of money. In the beginning they said I received Bt10 million, then increased it to 15 - and now its Bt20 million,'' he said.

He admitted that Thaksin appointed him to chair a panel to improve laws during his first term.

"I received Bt525. I was a chairman for some time and then Thaksin cancelled the panel and re-established another one headed by himself. That was only my relation with him. I do not know how I am accused as Thaksin's supporter."