Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has been ordered to resign after being found guilty of violating the constitution over a TV cookery show.
His entire cabinet has also been ordered to step down.
Mr Samak was found to have violated a ban on ministers having outside interests by taking money from a private company to host a TV show.
However, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) has vowed to re-appoint Mr Samak as prime minister.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says it is unclear what happens next.
Mr Samak Thai Cabinet agrees on referendum on how to end political crisis ...
Thai PM says will not resign amid protests ...
Thai court issues warrants for protest leaders ... has not been banned from standing again for prime minister, and it will be 30 days before the court's decision comes into effect.
Thailand has had its fair share of crises recently, but this is one that even the Thais are baffled by, our correspondent says.
(BBC)
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