BANGKOK -- Thailand convened its National Assembly for the first regular session in five years on Friday, signaling an end to military rule even though post-election maneuvering has likely cleared the way for junta leader and incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to return to power.
King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun and Queen Suthida presided over the parliamentary opening ceremony. The upper house was to vote to choose the president and two deputy presidents of the Senate later the same day. The lower chamber is to elect the house speaker and two deputies on Saturday -- a vote that will be closely watched as an indication of the balance of power.
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