"Although there are some independent senators as committee members, they are not experienced," Chirmsak said.

"If a vote is called, our group is likely to lose. If they can block the votes in selecting the screening panel, they can also block the votes for NCCC candidates," he said.

Some of the 22 committee members who had reviewed the backgrounds of candidates for the previous NCCC are Khunying Chodchoy Sophonpanich, Thavil Chanprasong, Pong Leng-ee, Sawat Amornvivat, Sophon Suphapong and Thongbai Thongpao.

"What I have learned is that there is a move to block NCCC candidates.

"If the public wants independent senators such as Thongbai and myself to be part of the screening panel, please give us advice,'' he said.

Although directives call for a new panel with 11 members, in practice that was not enough to check the qualifications of 18 candidates, he said.

"From 11 members, only five to six can actually get down to checking the credentials of the candidates and if the panel has 22 members, only 11 can work on the backgrounds,'' he said.

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Borwornsak ends solace

Phra Paworasoko, or Borwornsak Uwanno, leaves the Buddhist monkhood today after two weeks of solace.

Borwornsak announced his resignation from the embattled caretaker government two weeks ago, becoming the first key legal expert to jump ship.

The former Cabinet secretary-general was ordained at Sraket Temple on June 10.

Before he donned the saffron robe he said would not return to politics and would not act as an adviser to any political party.