Paiboon said the draft law was one of his major policies to promote public participation. He made the threat after several ministers spoke against the bill in a Cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the bill would be forwarded to the Council of State to review before it is re-submitted to the Cabinet.

Lizards 'vital for ecology'

Despite being shunned by most Thais and despite reports of the reptiles attacking a baby left sleeping alone on Sunday, a government veterinarian said yesterday the existence of water monitors in Bangkok was positive in ecological terms.

Alongkorn Mahannop said the monitors, whether the tree or water species, were vital to the ecology as they served as bottom feeders on the food chain, scavenging refuse and other decaying organic matter.

Water monitors are considered an inauspicious creature in Thai culture and the name is used as a highly offensive term of abuse.

But Alongkorn said people were not in any danger from the lizards.