Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has defended himself in court for appearing on a TV cooking programme.
In the latest of a series of problems to beset Mr Thai protesters remain firm, still seek PM's resignation ...
Thai court issues warrants for protest leaders ... Samak, he is accused of violating the constitution by working for a private company.
Protesters have now spent nearly two weeks occupying Mr Samak's office complex, demanding his resignation.
Mr Samak will have to quit if found guilty in this case, which might indirectly end the impasse.
Possible way forward?
Before taking office seven months ago, Mr Samak hosted a popular TV cooking show called Tasting, Grumbling.
He continued to make a few appearances on the show after becoming prime minister.
A group of senators filed a petition against Mr Samak, saying that a prime minister is barred by the constitution from working for private companies.
Mr Samak told the Constitutional Court on Monday that he had been paid for his appearances on the TV show, but was not actually employed by the television company.
The court is due to give its verdict on Tuesday.
Local newspapers have speculated about the case being a possible short-term solution to the current political stalemate in Thailand - although some analysts point out that even if Mr Samak stepped down, his party could always vote him back in again.
For the past two weeks, protesters have been camping outside Government House, refusing to leave until Mr Samak quits, but despite pressure from several military leaders the prime minister has refused to go.
Late last week, Mr Samak proposed to hold a referendum on his rule, but the opposition has rejected the offer.
The demonstrators, from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), say Mr Samak is merely a proxy for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in an army coup in 2006.
One man was killed in clashes between pro- and anti-government groups in Bangkok last week, prompting the government to impose emergency rule in the capital.
(BBC)
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