The Thai parliament has postponed a vote on whether to re-elect Samak Sundaravej as prime minister.
Speaker Chai Chidchob announced the delay after not enough lawmakers turned up to form a quorum.
Many members of parliament reportedly failed to attend the session because of unhappiness at the re-nomination.
Mr Samak was forced to resign over an appearance in a television cookery show, ending weeks of deadlock amid persistent protests against his administration.
But street rallies involving thousands of protesters continue to demand his exclusion from office.
Members of both the ruling coalition and the opposition Democrat Party refused to attend the parliament session intended to endorse Samak's return as prime minister.
The meeting to vote for prime minister was adjourned until Wednesday.
