The students have the names of more than 79,000 voters seeking action.

Former student-union president Thanachai Sunthorn-anan handed the names to outgoing Senate Deputy Speaker Sahas Pintusenee yesterday.

"The Senate should launch a trial against Thaksin who has suspiciously dispensed his power relating to the sale of Shin Corp by his family and stock transactions involving the paper company Ample Rich Investment," Thanachai said.

The Shinawatra family sold all its Shin Corp stock to Singapore's Temasek Holdings in late January in a deal done through the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).

The sale of shares by individuals through the SET is exempt from tax.

Ample Rich is a British Virgin Islands-registered company created by Thaksin in 1999.

The university's student union launched the signature campaign seeking Thaksin's impeachment in February.

It said the prime minister should be held accountable for alleged irregularities stemming from the tax-free deal.

The law allows for the initiation of impeachment proceedings against a political-office holder if a minimum of 50,000 registered voters so wish.

Sahas told Thanachai the Senate Secretariat would verify the signatures.

Irregularities would have to be amended within 30 days.

The National Counter Corruption would be asked to investigate.

The Senate would start impeachment action if the NCCC found foul play, he said.