The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Bangkok

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej awaited a court verdict today on accusations that his TV cooking show violated the constitution, which could see him forced from office, at least temporarily.

Thailand's Constitutional Court is set to decide later Tuesday whether Samak violated the constitution by taking money from a private company to host the "Tasting and Grumbling" cooking show.

If found guilty, he and his cabinet would be forced to resign-something that protesters occupying the grounds of his offices have not been able to achieve since storming his Government House two weeks ago.

However, Samak would not be barred from holding office, and his deputy has already held out the possibility that the ruling coalition could simply vote him back as prime minister.

"Ready or not ready, we must wait and see," Samak told reporters as he toured a market in north-eastern Udon Thani province, where he was preparing to hold a cabinet meeting.

With 5,000 protesters squatting on the grounds of his now-empty offices for two weeks, Samak has been forced to find new venues for his cabinet meetings and other official business.