The procedure for electing the new Speaker and two Deputy Speakers of the House requires MPs to vote in secret in sequence, writing the candidate’s name inside voting booths before officials count the ballots.
On 12 March 2026, following the Royal Decree convening Parliament 2026 to commence on 14 March, His Majesty the King will preside over the opening ceremony of the parliamentary session at the Sappaya-Sapasathan. The election will be held for one Speaker and two Deputy Speaker positions. The widely discussed candidates include Sophon Sarum, a multiple-term MP from Buriram who currently serves as Deputy Prime Minister, expected to become Speaker under the Bhumjaithai Party quota. For Deputy Speaker, Mallika Jirapanwanich is predicted to take the first Deputy Speaker position from Bhumjaithai, while the second is expected to come from the Pheu Thai Party, with candidates including Monporn Charoensri, a multiple-term MP from Nakhon Phanom, and Phatthana Sapso, a multiple-term MP from Sakon Nakhon; Pheu Thai has yet to finalize its choice.
The election will be held on 15 March 2026 at 9:00 a.m. The oldest MP present in the chamber will ascend the rostrum to serve as the "temporary chair". This chair will lead the members in taking their oath before proceeding to elect the official Speaker.
Each MP may nominate one fellow member, requiring at least 20 endorsers. Nominees must be present and accept the nomination personally. After nominations close and before voting begins, nominees will present their visions to the assembly, usually allowed 5-10 minutes each to assist members' decisions. If only one candidate is nominated, that person is elected automatically without a vote. If multiple candidates are nominated, a secret ballot is held, where MPs enter voting booths in order, write the chosen name on a slip, seal it in an envelope, and deposit it into the ballot box. This is not done by calling names or pressing voting buttons. Once all votes are cast, the temporary chair appoints a committee of MPs from various parties to open envelopes, read names aloud, and tally votes on a board openly in the meeting.
The candidate with the highest vote total for each position wins. If there is a tie, a new vote is held only between the tied candidates. Should a tie persist, the winner is decided by drawing lots.
After electing the Speaker and the first and second Deputy Speakers, the temporary chair will close the session and wait for the Prime Minister to submit the formal request for royal appointment.