Senators threaten to prosecute PM for avoiding the general debate

Senator Kamnoon Sithisaman said Samak had no justification to cite the June 25 budget debate to escape the Senate's grilling two days before.

"Samak has committed a lapse of duty in ignoring his obligations to the Senate," he said.

He said the senators might persue two options - teaming up with the House opposition members to convene an extraordinary session for censure and initiating a legal proceedings for lapse of duty as per Article 157 of the Criminal Code.

Should the National Counter Corruption Commission find cause to suspect wrongdoing under the Article 157 and recommend trial, Samak and his Cabinet members are obliged to suspend office immediately, senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana said.