In Thailand, scores of junta loyalists were endorsed as members of country’s 250-strong senate today. The full list, which included the junta leader’s brother and scores of military officers, was appointed by junta number two Prawit Wongsuwan.

The list was endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and published in palace mouthpiece The Royal Gazette. Army Chief Apirat Kongsompong and National Police Chief Jakthip Chaijinda have also been made senators.

The 250 members will vote alongside 500 elected lower house MPs to select the Prime Minister after parliament convenes in the coming weeks. With the Senate in hand, junta-backed Palang Pracharat will need only 126 votes in the lower house for Prayut to sail to the top position. Anti-junta parties would require a whopping 376 votes to gain a majority in the 750-seat parliament and override the senate advantage.