The university, which has often provided a spark for political upheavals in the past, will hold the forum against a backdrop of heightened tension caused by the impasse over Jaruvan Maintaka. The government, Constitution Court and Senate have failed to remove her as auditor-general thanks to conspicuous silence from the Royal Palace over her nominated successor.

Adding to the nominations controversy, a controversial reshuffle of military chiefs, highly influenced by Supreme Commander Chaisit Shinawatra, the prime minister’s cousin, has been “stranded” at the palace. The situation is unprecedented.

Rebellious Thai Rak Thai MP Pramual Rujanaseri, whose book “Royal Powers” has become a best-seller to the dismay of his colleagues, will also join the forum.

Revered monk Luangta Maha Bua added to the growing intrigue by launching a stinging attack on the Thaksin government over the weekend over the Jaruvan affair.

“She is His Majesty’s appointed worker, selected to work for the country, but they won’t allow her to work or even enter her room,” the monk said during a sermon at his Udon Thani temple. Details of his fiery statement were published in the Manager daily and remain on its website, with the highlight being his criticism of “bandits” and “hungry ghosts” who “conspired” to try to oust Jaruvan.

“They are getting restless,” the monk – once an admirer of Premier Thaksin Shinawatra – said.

Pramual, however, said he would avoid discussing the Jaruvan issue and military reshuffle because they are still under royal consideration.

The reshuffle has triggered a storm of criticism after government and military leaders played golf with personnel earmarked for promotion. The most controversial aspect was Chaisit’s comment that nobody could change the reshuffle list because the PM had signed it.

The forum will take place at 2pm at the university’s Faculty of Law.