Senators are to pick nine candidates from a shortlist of 18 prepared by the selection committee for the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC).

The Upper House's request for a special session was approved by the Cabinet and endorsed yesterday by a Royal Decree from His Majesty the King.

As the arrival of the incoming Senate has been delayed because of the Election Commission's failure to endorse many of the newly elected senators, the NCCC seats were left vacant.

In May 2005, nine corruption busters resigned after the Supreme Court found them guilty of raising their own salaries without parliamentary scrutiny.

The case against the NCCC salary hike, which drew wide public and media support, was initiated by more than 200 legislators.

Outgoing Senator Sawai Prammanee, who heads Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua's legal advisory team, said yesterday that the background checks on the Upper House committee members should be carried out by just 11 senators, not 23 as previously agreed.

The smaller group would come to a swifter decision, he said.

However, a source in the Senate commented that the proposal was aimed at removing difficult members of the committee and delaying the process.

Meanwhile, outgoing Senator Nirun Phitakwatchara yesterday called on the Senate speaker to use the special session to explain "several of his mistakes".

Suchon should show his sincerity by addressing the problems that face the Upper House, Nirun said.