Chief opposition whip Jurin Laksanavisit yesterday submitted a petition seeking the ouster of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and two cabinet ministers.
The petition, signed by 146 MPs, was accepted by deputy Senate speaker Surachai Liangboonlertchai, who acted on behalf of the Senate speaker.
Also named in the impeachment motion were Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi and Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan.
The ouster petition was lodged a few hours before the opposition submitted a motion seeking a no-confidence debate against the government with the House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranon.
Upon receiving the motion, Mr Somsak immediately examined the document and noted that the charges lacked details of the alleged wrongdoing.
Mr Jurin insisted the motion was complete and the opposition had never had to clarify accusations in a censure motion.
The atmosphere became tense as both men traded barbs.
Mr Somsak said he would discuss the matter with the House legal team again and the result should be known on Monday. As Mr Somsak was about to walk away, Democrat MP Boonyod Sukthinthai blew a whistle at Mr Somsak. He was stopped by fellow MPs.
Mr Jurin said in an interview that Mr Somsak was trying to prevent the opposition from doing its job and that he was not sure if the censure debate would take place before the current parliamentary session concludes.
He said the censure debate would target only the prime minister and Mr Charupong, who face charges of corruption, breaching the constitution and being unusually wealthy.
He said Mr Plodprasop is spared from the debate because he is not a key player, but he has to be brought to account.
"The prime minister urges the opposition to be creative, and she can count on that," Mr Jurin said.
"The debate is sought because she hasn't done her job in a creative fashion.
"Several issues exclusively concern the prime minister and she is expected to address them herself."
Mr Jurin said the debate is expected to take place next week before parliament is adjourned on Nov 28.
The opposition whip yesterday distanced the move from the street protest against the government headed by former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban.
"This is the opposition doing its job. It has nothing to do with the campaign calling for a House dissolution," he said.
Mr Surachai said the Senate will examine the motion and forward it to the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) within 15 days.
If the NACC finds there are grounds to the allegations, the Senate is required to convene a meeting on the impeachment, he said.