Page:Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (2560BE).pdf/41

Rh Each year, there shall be two ordinary sessions of the National Assembly. Each of them shall last one hundred and twenty days but the King may prolong this time period.

An ordinary session may be prorogued before the end of one hundred and twenty days only with the approval of the National Assembly.

The day on which the first sitting under paragraph one is held shall be considered as the commencement date of the first annual ordinary session, and the commencement date of the second annual ordinary session shall be fixed by the House of Representatives. However, in the case where the period of time from the first sitting under paragraph one to the end of the calendar year is insufficient to hold the second annual ordinary session, the second annual ordinary session may be omitted in that year.

Section 122. The King convokes the National Assembly, opens and prorogues its session.

The King may be present to perform the opening State ceremony of the first annual ordinary session or may command the Heir to the Throne who is sui juris or any person to perform the ceremony as His Representative.

When it is necessary for the interests of the State, the King may convoke an extraordinary session of the National Assembly.

Subject to section 123 and section 126, the convocation, the prolongation and the prorogation of the session of the National Assembly shall be made by a Royal Decree.

Section 123. Members of both Houses or Members of the House of Representatives comprising not less than one-third of the total number of existing members of both Houses have the right to lodge with the President of the National Assembly their petition to report to the King for the issuance of a Royal Command convoking an extraordinary session of the National Assembly.

The President of the National Assembly shall report to the King and countersign the Royal Command.

Section 124. At a sitting of the House of Representatives or the Senate or at a joint sitting of the National Assembly, words expressed in giving statements of fact or opinions or in casting the votes by any member are absolutely privileged. No charge or action in any manner whatsoever shall be brought against such member.

The privilege under paragraph one does not extend to a member who expresses words at a sitting which is broadcast through radio or television or any other mean if such words appear out of the precinct of the National Assembly and the