Chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS) Sonthi Boonyaratkalin has chosen 250 members of the National Legislative Assembly, which will act as the Thailand's interim parliament and whose prime duty is to write a new Constitution, Thai newspapers reported yesterday.

Sonthi, the Army Chief who led the Sept. 19 coup, said Tuesday that the selection of the legislators was complete and the names would be announced after receiving royal approval, according to Bangkok Post.

He would submit the list to the King in two days. The legislators were drawn from experts representing government offices, private sector, state enterprises and academia and would be responsible for drafting a new Constitution, as the 1997 Constitution was annulled by the military Council led by Sonthi immediately after the coup was successfully staged.

Sonthi considered the selection of the legislators in a meeting Tuesday with CNS vice-chairman Chalit Phukphasuk, Supreme Commander Boonsang Niampradit, navy chief Adm. Sathiraphan Keyanont and national police chief Kowit Wattana.

Sonthi said he had also discussed the assembly line-up with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Monday. The prime minister, however, had not proposed anyone and left the matter under the sole authority of the CNS.

Meanwhile, a source in the CNS was quoted as saying that three names have emerged as strong contenders for the presidency of the National Legislative Assembly. The source mentioned former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, former attorney-general Khanit na Nakhon, and former Senate speaker Meechai Ruchuphan.

The source also said some key CNS members had nominated their aides to the assembly but the final say rested with Sonthi.

Under the interim constitution announced by the CNS, the assembly can grill cabinet members but has no power to remove them from office. Only the prime minister has the authority to do so after getting approval from the King. The premier himself can be removed by the CNS with royal approval.