BANGKOK, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's king and queen on Saturday presided over a royal ceremony to open a new parliamentary session following the February general election.

In his address at the ceremony, King Maha Vajiralongkorn called upon the parliamentarians to execute their legislative duties on behalf of the entire country by upholding righteousness and public interest.

The monarch emphasized that all parliamentary debates should strictly adhere to constitutional principles to truly benefit the nation and offered his blessings for the smooth operation of the National Assembly.

Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his caretaker cabinet members attended the inauguration, along with members of parliament, senators, the president of independent agencies, and foreign diplomats.

The freshly elected House of Representatives is set to convene its first session on Sunday for the oath-taking ceremony and the election of a new house speaker and deputy speakers. ■