1.
LS CURTAIN DRAWS BACK -- KING SEATED ON THRONE
0.16

2.
MLS PARLIAMENTARIANS
0.20

3.
MS THANOM AND OTHERS
0.22

4.
MS KING AGAIN
0.27

5.
CU REAR VIEW OF PARLIAMENTARIANS (TWO SHOTS)
0.33

6.
MLS KING AGAIN
0.35

7.
LS ZOOM OUT CURTAIN CLOSES
0.52

8.
MCU THANOM AND OTHERS BOWING -- THANOM WITH CLASPED HANDS WALKING AWAY
1.02

9.
MCU OTHER PARLIAMENTARIANS
1.05



Initials CAR/VS/MK/YA/RBI



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THAILAND'S KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ YESTERDAY (THURSDAY), OPENED THE FIRST JOINT SITTING OF THE NATION'S NEW PARLIAMENT AND WARNED ITS MEMBERS THAT UNITY WAS ESSENTIAL FOR THE COUNTRY'S SURVIVAL.

THE KING -- SHADED BY A NINE-TIERED UMBRELLA, THE EMBLEM OF ROYALTY -- TOLD 164 MEMBERS OF THE APPOINTED SENATE AND 218 MEMBERS OF THE ELECTED HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE NEW GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE TO BEAR A HEAVY BURDEN IN DEALING WITH THE DANGERS FACING THE COUNTRY.

HE APPEALED TO ALL MEMBERS TO SHOULDER THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN CONSULTATION, DEBATE, AND AGREEMENT IN THE GENUINE INTERESTS OF THE THAI NATION AND PEOPLE.

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS ON FEBRUARY 10 WERE THAILAND'S FIRST SINCE 1958 WHEN THE LATE PRIME MINISTER, FIELD MARSHALL SARIT THANARAT, SEIZED POWER AND ABOLISHED PARLIAMENT AND OTHER DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS.

MEANWHILE, ABOUT 34 INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE 21??? HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAVE DECIDED TO JOIN THE GOVERNMENT'S UNITED THAI PEOPLE'S PARTY. THE GOVERNMENT WON 75 SEATS, INDEPENDENTS 72 AND THE MAJOR OPPOSITION DEMOCRAT PARTY 57 SEATS. ONE GOVERNMENT MEMBER DIED ON WEDNESDAY OF HEART ATTACK.