King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida open Parliament

King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida of Thailand presided over the State Opening of Parliament.

The King of Thailand, as is the case with most monarchs worldwide, serves as the country’s Head of State. One of the primary functions of any premier is the unique privilege of opening a new session of government. Last Saturday, the King and Queen travelled to the Parliament Building to undertake the State Ceremony for the Opening of the National Assembly.

The State Opening—a longstanding tradition that serves as an announcement that representatives of the people will formally assume their legislative duties— is considered the most important ceremony in Thailand’s parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. Before the ceremony can take place, the King issues a royal decree that states,

Whereas a general election for members of the House of Representatives was held on 8 February, 2026, and Article 121 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand stipulates that Parliament shall be convened within fifteen days from the date of the announcement of the results of the general election for members of the House of Representatives, and that this shall be considered the commencement date of the first ordinary session of the year.

Pursuant to the powers vested in Sections 121, 122, and 175 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, His Majesty the King has graciously decreed the convening of the Parliament from 14 March, 2026 onwards.

Around 5 pm on 14 March, King Rama X (Vajiralongkorn) and Queen Suthida arrived at the Sappaya-Sapasathan (Parliament Building) and were greeted by various officials. The King and Queen proceeded into the Parliamentary Chamber to the two thrones, where the Royal Anthem was then played.

King Rama gave a royal address in which he called on members to place the well-being of the people as their highest priority.

Now that the election of members of the House of Representatives has been completed and parliament has been convened for the year 2569 [2026], I hereby declare the opening of the parliamentary session from this moment onward.

I ask all of you who will perform legislative duties on behalf of the people of the entire country to uphold righteousness and the well-being of the people as your highest goal. Any deliberations that take place in this parliament should proceed in accordance with the constitutional process and achieve results that truly benefit the nation and the people. — King Rama X

Following the address to the assembled legislative body, the King and Queen then departed the parliamentary complex, featuring an iconic gold Thai pagoda.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his caretaker cabinet attended the solemn ceremony, along with MPs, senators, and foreign diplomats.

After the ceremony concludes, and with business allowed to start, a meeting of the House of Representatives will elect a new House Speaker. The new Speaker will subsequently be appointed by His Majesty the King. The newly appointed Speaker then calls a meeting of MPs to elect a Prime Minister. The new PM’s decision must also seek royal approval from the King.

The new Prime Minister will then name a Cabinet and lead its new members in taking an Oath of Allegiance before King Rama X.

Previously, King Rama and Queen Suthida presided over the State Opening of Parliament in May 2019 at the Vithes Samosorn Hall and in July 2023 at the present Parliament Building in Dusit District, Bangkok.