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Published on October 8, 2007

In this bushel, Soopsip doesn't see anyone as capable as Charnvit Kasetsiri, who recently pulled off a feat of political cross-pollination that must have made Banharn Silpa-archa envious.

The proof is in the picture: Charnvit sandwiched between former Thai Rak Thai strongman Surapong Suebwonglee and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. Their unified goal: changing the country's name back to Siam.

A Thammasat University historian, Charnvit leads the reversion campaign, which boasts an e-petition - go to PetitionOnline.com and search for "siam2007". There's also a drop-dead-cool T-shirt that the kids will go nuts over (especially the ones who hang out at Siam Paragon and Siam Square).

"Siam", so the argument goes, better reflects the country's ethnic diversity, whereas "Thailand" was intended to be exclusive from the start, referring to a distinct people supposedly derived from the Tai of China.

It's the cool T-shirt that the three in the photo are holding, but at least one observer points out that Abhisit doesn't seem very comfortable, while Surapong is beaming.

Don't construe this to mean the Democrat thinks Thailand is a swell name after all. He's probably just not used to sharing the same square metre as a Thai Rak Thai warlord.

Anyway, two thumbs up for Charnvit - when it comes to reconciliation, he's accomplished a lot more than anyone else has.