Other guests at the Nation Group seminar also sprang surprises, including former leader of the Mahachon Party Anek Laothamatas and Thammasat political scientist Dr Chaiwat Satha-anan.

Lying beneath their political forecasts was their deep interest in non-political issues, such as Hollywood films and history.

Anek started by mentioning "Tale of Two Cities" of famous British writer Charles Dickens. Gothom then used several Hollywood films to describe the current situation.

First, he mentioned "Evita".

Evita Duarte, a B-picture actress, eventually became the wife of Argentinean president and dictator Juan Peron, and the most beloved and hated woman in the country. It was a good comparison, taking into account the tough childhood of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has become the most beloved and hated man in Thailand. Right up to her death, Evita denied all allegations against her and promised to help the poor.

Then there is "Titanic" - the romantic film of Jack and Rose amid the wreck of the giant luxury cruiser. This time, Gothom talked about the evolution of the political turmoil. "I don't know if it will be as extreme as the Titanic - that sank because of a small iceberg."

Now that Thaksin seems undeterred by mounting criticism from people who hate him, Gothom said he was unsure if the prime minister would resign. He is also not sure about the new weapons the protesters might employ to achieve their goals.

This time, he mentioned Achilles' heel - the weakest point of the unbeatable. Hollywood fans know what a tough fighter Achilles was from "Troy", starring Brad Pitt, but the movie did not tell why Achilles was brought to his demise just because his heel was pierced by an arrow.

Coming to the rescue was Chaiwat, who broke in with the explanation of why Achilles was near-mortal.

The story goes that Achilles was the son of the mortal Peleus and the Nereid Thetis. Thetis attempted unsuccessfully to make her son immortal. She held the young Achilles by the heel and dipped him in the River Styx. Everything the sacred waters touched became invulnerable, but his heel remained dry and therefore unprotected.

Given their interest in this stuff, we are happy that these academic pillars can still find something fun to talk about amid all the political chaos.

achara_d@nationgroup.com