It sends an ear-splitting message, full of foreboding, to society and his opponents.

While anti-Thaksin campaigners are refusing to back down until the prime minister is removed, Thaksin looks determined to cling to power – whatever the cost.

The country is being held hostage as rival parties gear up for a final showdown.

For Thaksin’s opponents, Sunday’s rally at Sanam Luang is the next front in a war of attrition that will persist until the embattled prime minister leaves office.

In his counter-offensive, Thaksin plans many diversionary measures aimed at pacifying the public and undermining his opponents.

His measures centre on two events – the pro-government rally planned for next Friday, timed to achieve maximum publicity after five days of attacks by his opponents, and the joint House-Senate debate early next month, which is expected to be a roll-call of his parliamentary majority.

It came as no surprise that the small bomb went off while rival groups try to outwit one another.

Political veteran Chamlong Srimuang viewed the explosion as an act of political intimidation designed to scare away the Dhamma Army of Santi Asoke, the religious cult seen as Chamlong’s political bastion.

Santi Asoke followers, known for their disciplined life and stamina for a long struggle, are expected to swell the Sanam Luang crowd and strongly reinforce the rally organised by the People’s Alliance for Democracy.

Echoing Chamlong, the Metropolitan Police said the bomb made a lot of noise but was not designed to kill.

Rival parties should read the police report carefully. Thus far, the political turmoil has involved a shouting match between two polarised sides but with tension escalating, the situation could spiral from noisy bickering into bloodshed. Indeed, the political uncertainty surrounding Thaksin’s leadership seems like a powder keg ready to blow.

What message is conveyed by the explosion and how should it be handled?

As prime minister, Thaksin is obliged to ease the tension before it blows up in his face.

The anti-Thaksin drive has gained momentum not because of individual opponents like Chamlong or media activists like Sondhi Limthongkul but by more and more people recognising the PM’s obsession with power.

The Shin Corp sell-off revealed how Thaksin has abused democratic rules to serve his personal ambition.

Under the pretext of ensuring political stability, he has weakened the checks-and-balances system and strengthened government on an unprecedented scale. But his consolidation of power serves only him, not the country.

The political crisis triggered by his leadership style is fast becoming proof of Murphy’s law – that whatever can go wrong, will go wrong, until Thaksin realises that he is the problem.

It is high time for the prime minister to decide for himself whether to opt for a graceful exit or risk the consequences of his stubbornness. As the Santi Asoke bombing showed, the political crisis may end up a lethal cocktail.

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

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