Academics and senators do not believe fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was serious about returning to Thailand and serving his prison term.
As all parliamentary meetings will officially end on Feb 28, members of the Upper and Lower Houses are rushing to deliberate draft laws and wrap up their proposals and probes into corruption.
A joint sitting of parliament failed to meet a quorum on Wednesday after only 245 MPs and senators were present at the meeting to examine a charter amendment bid to curtail Senate powers.
BANGKOK Near the grand conference halls in central Bangkok where Asian leaders will meet this week, a plethora of marijuana shops the Thai capital's newest tourist draw were bustling despite a controversy that threatens the growing sector. Since Thailand decriminalised cannabis this year, shops selling homegrown and imported strains, pre-rolled joints and gummies sprang up rapidly. New.
Notable sections of civil society and politicians in Thailand want tougher regulations to access and use of marijuana after recent reports of overuse and use by children emerge.
Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to decriminalise the sale and use of cannabis.
Health minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who spearheaded the legislation, billed marijuana as a cash crop, and endorsed it for medical use.
The move spawned several shops selling local and imported strains, pre-rolled joints, reports Reuters news agency.