The Pheu Thai Party has warned the Senate not to rush the election of its speaker or face possible constitutional consequences.
Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday the planned election of the Senate speaker on Friday might contravene the constitution.
The speaker election occurring so soon after the opening of the extraordinary session on May 2 might be seen as rushed, which could lead to a petition against the timing, he said.
The Senate should take more time to vet the backgrounds of potential candidates and allow them to present their visions, as has been the practice in the past.
The Senate meeting was called after newly elected senators from all 77 provinces were endorsed by the Election Commission.
They will be assigned to various Senate committees after taking office.
Mr Prompong added the royal decree that inaugurated the May 2 meeting clearly states the session could be convened for two very specific purposes.
The Senate secretariat earlier sent a letter to the cabinet seeking to hold a special Senate session to consider appointment issues, including the proposed appointment of former deputy finance permanent secretary Supa Piyajitti to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The Senate is, therefore, restricted by the decree to only consider the appointment of experts for the Administrative Court and the NACC member appointment during the extraordinary meeting, Mr Prompong said.
The Senate should review its decision to hold the speaker election on Friday, he said.
Former Senate speaker Nikhom Wairatpanich said electing a speaker during the current extraordinary session would be unprecedented and risks violating the charter.