Activists from the Campaign for Popular Media Reform stand for 90 minutes at the Democracy Monument yesterday to mourn the ‘death’ of the 1997 Constitution, which was promulgated nine years ago yesterday.

The interim government has kicked off its one-year mission to resolve political polarisation, usher in an elected government and restore peace in the deep South.

This is a tall order to accomplish at the best of times and appears daunting under the prevailing climate of fractious politics.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and his 26 Cabinet members will have to tread carefully through a difficult transition to reinstate democracy after repairing the flawed system of checks and balances.

Politicians of all stripes and various pressure groups are gearing up to advance their agendas, but the government is being backed by the military to do the unpleasant but necessary job of uprooting the tentacles of power left by the previous administration.

Frictions are bound to increase because of the ripple effect from overhauling the political mechanisms.

Deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his cohorts are expected to put up a tough fight for survival as they face prosecution for alleged policy abuses and corruption.

Although graft-busters will bear the brunt of the defence mounted by the ousted leaders, the interim government is likely to face the political undercurrents designed to influence the court battle.

Crucial information on suspicious projects is being kept in various government agencies. It is understandable that the government might face pressure to release or withhold certain evidence.

Thaksin and his cohorts might be out of power but they still wield influence over allies, including local politicians and powerful businesses, to act as their proxies.

In order to get rid of the Thaksin's legacy of abuses, the government will have to revamp the line-up of senior officials, particularly those in charge of law enforcement in the Justice Ministry.

It is also expected to modify many populist policies in order to ensure sustainable benefits to the people, instead of encouraging them to incur household debts and rely on government handouts.

Many mega-projects, including Bangkok's mass transit train routes, may have to be revised to suit society and root out corruption.

Under the previous administration, the bids for government contracts were criticised for favouring businesses seen as close to Thaksin's family and supporters of the Thai Rak Thai Party.

The implementation of fair bidding is essential to ensure a thriving economy and competitiveness.

The tasks facing the Surayud government are unpopular and are likely to trigger retaliation from vested interests. It will have to brace itself for political wrath as it sets out to prevent a repeat of the Thaksin regime.

Another tough challenge for the government is to quell violence in the three southernmost provinces.

For the past two years, terrorist attacks have increased substantially, disrupting the peace and livelihood of citizens in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

It is time to stop debating strategy and playing the blame game for the unrest. The government must quickly come up with a political solution to quell violence.

Under Surayud's leadership, the government is navigating a rough sea of political demands.

Should any political storms break, Surayud is expected to play his trump card - he has room to accommodate demands and can expand his Cabinet from 26 to 35 members, if needed.

Avudh Panananda

The Nation