Democrats want Speaker to check Sutha's credentials

The planned petition is to focus on whether Sutha is a genuine university graduate, he said.

In a separate move, the main opposition party plans to launch impeachment proceedings against PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair for abuse of power relating to his supervision of the state-run NBT Channel and his handling of the media.

Chalerm unfazed by poll, refuses to change

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday he would not change his work style even though a Bangkok poll found he was the least popular minister in the Samak government.

Bangkok University's Bangkok Poll interviewed 1,228 residents of the capital and found Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan the most popular with a mark of 4.96 out of 10. Chalerm received 3.39 points.

House to recess on May 20

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a draft royal decree to end the House session on May 20, marking the recess following the first legislative term of 120 days.

The draft will be forwarded to the Palace for royal endorsement.

The upcoming recess has prompted speculation whether the government will have sufficient time to initiate the charter debate within the remaining two weeks.

Cabinet defers decision on lotto

The Cabinet yesterday deferred making a decision on the Social Development and Human Security Ministry's plan to issue lotteries to raise funds for people in the strife-torn southern provinces.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Sutha Chansaeng was absent from the meeting as he was recovering from an illness. Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee was on a working trip abroad.

A Cabinet statement said the relevant ministries would have to scrutinise the project first. The plan is to issue 40 lottery draws with 8 million tickets each.