Somchai visibly under pressure during grilling by Abhisit

Somchai looked grim and his hands shook as he replied to Abhisit's questions about the PM's responsibility for the violent police crackdown on protesters. The October 7 incident left two people dead and hundreds injured, many with lost limbs.

The premier rarely looked up while reading his explanation in response to the Abhisit's queries.

At the beginning of yesterday's meeting, House Speaker Chai Chidchob informed participants the prime minister was busy elsewhere and assigned PM's Office Minister Sukhumpong Ngonkham to respond to the opposition leader's queries on his behalf.

When Abhisit protested, Sukhumpong explained Somchai had been scheduled to testify before a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) fact-finding committee investigating the street violence.

Abhisit, who is also Democrat Party leader, said as a responsible elected politician, the prime minister should not have missed the House meeting, as he had been informed beforehand about the opposition queries.

Shortly afterwards, the prime minister arrived, explaining he had rushed to Parliament after becoming aware the meeting with the NHRC panel was today and not yesterday. He blamed his secretary for the mix-up.

Abhisit then asked Somchai what orders he or his Cabinet had given in dealing with the protesters outside of Parliament on October 7 and whether the PM knew about the casualties that morning.

Somchai replied he called an urgent meeting of his Cabinet on the night of October 6 after hearing that protesters would move on Parliament. He said Cabinet members decided not to change the venue of the parliamentary meeting to read the government's policy statement.

He also said then-deputy PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh had been assigned to deal with the protesters.

The premier reiterated his government would accept findings by an independent investigation committee he had set up.

"It's still not clear now who should be held responsible," he said.

Abhisit said it appeared the prime minister was confused about political responsibility versus bureaucratic responsibility.

"Do we have to see more damage done to the country before there is a show of political responsibility?" the opposition leader said.

Abhisit then asked the prime minister whether setting up a new Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) should be postponed, in order to avoid political confrontation. He also pointed to a smear campaign against the monarchy, particularly over the Internet.

Somchai replied he did not think a new CDA would lead to more conflict. He said it could provide a way out for the country's problems, so he did not plan to drop the assembly.

He also said the government was serious about blocking content disrespectful to the monarchy.

"When I went to the ICT Ministry and had shoes and water bottles thrown at me, I discussed this matter with the officials involved," he said.

The premier added that he would testify today before the NHRC fact-finding committee probing the October 7 incident.