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Dailies Mathichon and Naew Na led with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej rejecting calls from a group of 164 Senators and MPs to use Parliament to make the changes.

The premier said he would opt instead for a referendum in July in which voters would not be asked to approve the amendments but whether the Constitution should be changed. This referendum is expected to cost taxpayers Bt2 billion.

It won't be smooth sailing for Samak, however. Local press reported that most of the 164 lawmakers turned a deaf ear to Samak's call for a referendum and instead went ahead petitioning House Speaker Chai Chidchob, saying that all constitutional amendments should be decided in Parliament. Some pointed out that they were just merely living up to their campaign promises.

Manager said the People's Alliance for Democracy would hold a public rally to protest the move to amend the  Constitution, arguing that the real motive for the amendments is to whitewash ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and pave his way back to politics.

Krungthep Turakij published two front-page photos - one with the 164 lawmakers petitioning Chai over the constitutional amendments and the other with members of the Democrat Party petitioning Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej.

The fate of PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair still dominated much of the front pages of local dailies. The verdict has yet to be delivered on this outspoken Thaksin loyalist who continues to plead his innocence despite pressure increasing on Samak from various quarters to let him go.

Mathichon  quoted ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra as saying that if Jakrapob is unable to defend himself, he should resign from his post.

 Local media reported that Samak was buying more time by tossing this hot potato to the police, saying they would be the ones to decide whether Jakarapob's controversial remarks on the monarchy constituted lese majeste. Strangely, for an incident that has been greatly politicised, Samak continues to deal with it as if it's purely a law and order issue.

Jakrapob may have got to where he is by being a true Thaksin loyalist, but Samak will realise that letting Jakrapob go will not cost him much. Political rewards, it seem, can only go so far.