Parliament was formally opened on 14 March 2026 as King Maha Vajiralongkorn, accompanied by Queen Suthida, presided over the ceremony at the parliament complex in Bangkok. During the royal address, the King urged lawmakers to uphold correctness and place the highest interests of the people at the centre of their duties. The ceremony marked the start of the first ordinary parliamentary session of 2026. Get today's headlines by email The royal couple arrived at the ceremony hall on the 11th floor of the Sappaya-Sapasathan building at 17:17. They were received by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Senate President Mongkol Surasajja, who serves as President of the National Assembly, and senior parliamentary officials including Secretary-General of the House of Representatives Sirote Phaetphan and Secretary-General of the Senate Pannita Sathantraiphop. Standing before the royal throne, the King delivered his address to members of parliament, senators, privy councillors, members of the cabinet, ambassadors, and representatives of independent organisations. He noted that the election of members of the House of Representatives had concluded and parliament had now been convened for the 2026 session. “Now that the election of members of the House of Representatives has been completed and parliament has been convened for the year 2026, I declare this parliamentary session open from this moment onward,” the King said. He urged legislators to “uphold correctness and make the highest interests of the people their ultimate goal,” adding that parliamentary deliberations should proceed in accordance with the constitution and produce genuine benefits for the country and its citizens. The monarch also expressed hopes that parliament’s work would proceed smoothly and wished prosperity and well-being for all participants. The address reaffirmed the ceremonial and constitutional role of the monarch in formally opening parliament following general elections. The ceremony marked the third time a parliamentary opening has taken place during the current reign of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. It was also the second time the event has been held in the ceremony hall of the parliament building. The first opening ceremony during the reign occurred on 24 July 2019. That event was historically notable because it was the first time since Thailand transitioned to a constitutional monarchy that the ceremony was not held in the throne hall of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, instead taking place at the Foreign Ministry’s Vithes Samosorn Hall. The Standard reported that under Thai constitutional procedures, once the election of members of the House of Representatives is completed, parliament must be convened within 30 days of polling day. The first meeting of the legislature is considered as an important formal event of the parliamentary process, traditionally presided over by the monarch or a royal representative. The royal opening signals the formal beginning of parliamentary work, allowing lawmakers to begin legislative duties and debates for the new session. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now TheStandard 15 Mar 2026
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