Prime Minister-elect Yingluck Shinawatra (C) of the Puea Thai Party and other members of parliament vote to select a house speaker in Thailand first parliament session in Bangkok August 2, 2011. Thailand's election authority cleared the way last week for a new parliament to convene and choose a prime minister, saying it had endorsed enough winning candidates from the July 3 election to produce a quorum.[Photo/Agencies]

BANGKOK - The first meeting of the Lower House since the July 3 election held Tuesday morning voted for Somsak Kiatsuranont as the new legislative chief. Charoen Chankomol and Wisut Chainarun were elected as deputy House speakers.

The first House meeting was organized by Chai Chidchob, the 83-year-old former House Speaker and the most senior member of the parliament and lasted for only 20 minutes, from 9:30 to 9:55 am.

All candidates were nominated by the election-winner Pheu Thai Party on Monday as the party holds the majority of the Lower House. The runner-up Democrat Party did not propose anyone to contest and so the candidates were automatically given the position.

Somsak Kietsuranon greets members of parliament after he was elected new house speaker at the parliament in Bangkok August 2, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Somsak is a Pheu Thai lawmaker from northeastern Khon Kaen province. He used to be a deputy House Speaker in 1997 as well as minister of culture under Samak Sundaravej government and minister of justice under Somchaay Wongsawat administration in 2008.

Charoen, the first deputy House Speaker, is a Pheu Thai lawmaker from northeastern Chaiyabhum. Wisut, a lawmaker from northern Phayao, won the post of second Deputy House Speaker.

After receiving royal endorsement, the new House speaker will then hold another meeting to vote for new prime minister. Yingluck Shinawatra, the top list candidate from Pheu Thai, will be nominated.