Thailand's newly elected lawmakers have gathered for the first session of parliament since opposition parties scored a stunning victory in May's general election.

The progressive Move Forward Party and seven others will hope the curtain raising boosts their efforts to form a coalition government. But a rift is widening among them over who will get the post of House Speaker.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn inaugurated Monday's opening of the National Assembly.

All eyes are on the Speaker vote scheduled for Tuesday.
Move Forward and the second-largest Pheu Thai Party both want the post because the holder plays a key role in prioritizing deliberations.

Opposition party leaders gathered on Sunday to discuss the issue, but they couldn't settle on one candidate.

Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat said: "We are very confident, and we are trying our best to minimize all the risk. I think we'll be able to have a stable coalition."

Once that vote is done, attention will shift to balloting for the next prime minister, slated later this month.

The eight allied parties have agreed to back the Move Forward leader. But if the confrontation over the Speaker post heats up, it could affect the opposition camp's attempts to elect its own prime minister, which needs a majority of votes in both chambers.