Updated

Thailand's junta has appointed a military-dominated interim legislature in another step in the slow return of promised electoral democracy.

The junta announced Thursday night that King Bhumibol Adulyadej has officially endorsed the appointments.

The junta, which took power on May 22, announced a timetable a month ago for the gradual return to nominally civilian rule, culminating in a general election late next year.

Just over half of the 200 members of the interim legislature, formally known as the National Legislative Assembly, hold military ranks, and 11 are police. It is to convene on Aug. 7 and is to nominate an interim prime minister. The junta, officially called the National Council for Peace and Order, has already given itself what amounts to supreme power over political developments.