Special Report: Crisis in Thailand

    BANGKOK, March 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Thai Senators are waiting for the Administrative Court to rule on whether Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra violated the Constitution by appointing Chidchai Vanasatidya as deputy prime minister.

    Senator Karun Saingam and three other senators submitted their complaint to the ombudsman, claiming that Thaksin violated Article 215 of the Constitution.

    The Constitution stipulates that after the dissolution of the House, the Cabinet cannot appoint or transfer ministerial portfolios without seeking the Election Commission's approval.

    The senators asked the ombudsman to seek a ruling from the Administrative Court to revoke the prime minister's order and set an injunction to stop him from violating the electoral law.

    Ombudsman Pramot Chotimongkol said he was ready to consider the complaint and if the prime minister was found at fault, he would file the matter with the Administrative Court.

    Thaksin on Tuesday appointed the former third-deputy Prime Minister Chidchai as the first-deputy Prime Minister to be in charge of the government affairs when Thaksin is outside Bangkok. Enditem