Image caption The Speaker suggested the images could have come from outside the parliament's premises

Proceedings in Thailand's parliament have been interrupted after the graphic image of a semi-naked woman flashed up on giant screens during a debate.

The close-up picture of a young woman striking a provocative pose appeared on monitors as an MP addressed the house.

The images appeared in between footage of the debate, on a controversial constitutional amendment.

The session was halted and the monitors hastily switched off after an MP complained.

The origin of the images is now being investigated. The Speaker, Somsak Kiatsuranont, said an official told him that the image's appearance was the work of hackers outside of parliament.

Photographs of the incident apparently taken by an MP and published by the Bangkok Post daily seem to show a woman reclining without underwear and holding her hand to her groin.

MPs later resumed their debate, devoted to the second reading of a constitutional amendment aimed at paving the way for the drafting of a new constitution.