Contrary to speculation about a tight race, Meechai achieved an easy victory over rival candidate Prasong Soonsiri, who won just 47 votes.

Two retired civil servants, Charan Kullavanijaya and Potjanee Thanavaranit, were elected as deputy speakers.

Charan used to serve as the secretary general of the National Security Council, and Potjanee was director general of the Insurance Department.

The appointments for Meechai, Charan and Potjanee are being forwarded for royal approval. General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS), is slated to countersign the royal command on their appointments.

The National Legislative Assembly held its first session yesterday after an opening ceremony on Friday presided over by HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.

NLA member Khunying Nanthaka Suprapatanan, 88, chaired the session in line with precedent that the oldest legislative member leads the first meeting.

Nanthaka asked the 242 members to acknowledge the royal decree for convening the session and conducted the swearing-in ceremony. She then proceeded to organise the elections for speaker and two deputy speakers.

For the position of speaker, four candidates were Meechai, Prasong, Ammar Siamwalla and Purachai Piumsombun.

The four candidates were endorsed by five NLA members each. Their supporters included General Somjet Boonthanom (for Meechai), Admiral Bannawit Kengrien (for Prasong), Somkiart On-wimol (for Ammar) and Phatara Khampitak (for Purachai).

Before the vote, Ammar withdrew his candidacy on grounds that he was not prepared for the job.

Assembly member Sophon Supapong won approval for the adopting of a simple majority, or 122 of 242 seats, to decide the outcome. Six NLA members supervised the tallying of the votes.

Purachai finished a distant third with 21 votes.

Following Meechai's victory, Nanthaka ruled against a vote recount on grounds that she found no cause to suspect foul play.

In the vote for the position of first deputy speaker, Charan defeated Juree Vichit-Vadakan by 170 to 56 votes.

Potjanee was elected to the position of second deputy speaker, outscoring her rival candidate Pornthip Jala by 128 to 99 votes.

After the vote, Meechai asked people not to draw hasty judgements about the military-appointed body.

He encouraged his opponents to give him a chance to prove his worth.

Meechai vowed yesterday he would ensure the NLA became a credible law-making assembly.

"As speaker I am responsible for ensuring smooth meetings but I have no influence over any given debate or votes" he said.

He dismissed speculation the Council for National Security (CNS) masterminded his election in order to prolong its time in power. Military leaders have promised to return civilian power within a year of the September 19 coup.

"Please read the interim Constitution if you have doubts about the path back to an elected government," Meechai said.

He denied he was in a position to influence the writing of a new charter, in spite of his role as an author of the interim Constitution.

As NLA speaker Meechai will also chair the 2,000-member People's Assembly that will name 200 candidates for consideration by the CNS for 100 positions on the Constitution Drafting Council.

Meechai said following that he would have no further involvement in the charter.

He defended his past record as a law drafter and adviser to the Council of State. He added it was Parliament and governments who held joint responsibility for passing legislation.

Meechai's deputy Pochanee believed she won her role because the NLA wanted to promote gender equality.

"As deputy speaker and a woman, I will devote myself to forging conciliation and unity within the NLA," she said.

Criticism of Meechai would dissipate once he proved himself, she said.

Meechai's rival Prasong said he respected the outcome.

"NLA members have voted and I respect their decisions and congratulate Meechai on his victory," Prasong said.

He reminded fellow lawmakers they were appointed to their jobs and hence they needed to demonstrate their sincerity in returning power to the people.

He said the NLA should allow public participation in its activities to allay concerns about concentration of power in the hands of military leaders.

Prapasri Osathanon

The Nation