Nearly three weeks after Paetongtarn Shinawatra was named Prime Minister, the new cabinet lineup, from seven parties and one political faction, has been finalised amid criticism of nepotism. More than half are holdovers from the previous administration.

The highlights of a morning session of the parliamentary session, which was held to select a new Prime Minister with Pita Limjaroenrat as the only candidate nominated for the position. However, the outgoing government coalition parties continue to strongly oppose Pita.

<p>6 opposition parties have issued a statement backing the&nbsp;call for the reform of the judicial system&nbsp;made by monarchy reform activists Tantawan Tuatulanon and Orawan Phuphong, who have been on a&nbsp;dry hunger strike&nbsp;since 18 January, but did not respond to their demand for political parties to back the repeal of the royal defamation and sedition laws.</p>

<p>In response to the hunger strikes of two detained activists, opposition political party members have pledged to support bail rights and ending the criminalisation of political opinions.</p>

<p>Mobile phone users in the Deep South must register facial identification for their SIM card by 31 October, says the Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC); critics are concerned about a violation of fundamental rights.</p>

<p>Thailand is now stuck in a political stalemate. The democratic camp can win the House, but cannot choose the Prime Minister, while the pro-junta camp can choose the Prime Minister but cannot pass legislation through the House. Only one casualty for the democratic camp, and Thailand will be under a disguised military dictatorship for the next four years.</p>