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Published on January 6, 2008

There was no need for Samak to disclose the identity of the person. Judging from his longstanding wrath towards a well-known personality with considerable clout, the invisible hand probably belongs to none other than Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda.

When there was no reaction from General Prem in response to his provocative remark, Samak went even further with his combative style. This time he blamed "dirty hands" for messing with his bid to become prime minister.

Samak's anger is understandable. Despite his party's resounding election victory, he still seems to be the man who would be prime minister. His mannerisms and character confirms that expectations are low that he will be allowed by the person who pulls the strings behind the PPP to take the top job.

To insider's, Samak's mission was accomplished after he led the PPP to win the hotly contested election. The premiership will belong to somebody else trusted by Thaksin and his wife to lead a new mission: to take full control of government and do everything first and foremost to free them from all legal problems and possible risk of criminal conviction.

If there is an extra mission for Samak, it is to continue his campaign to discredit the Election Commission (EC) after successful PPP candidates have been left in suspense facing further uncertainty over their immediate future.

Some of the 65 candidates face further probes by the EC to establish whether they should be given the green light to become full House members, yellow cards to contest in new elections, or red cards, which would mean a one-year loss of their political rights.

Samak believes that the invisible hands got dirty in meddling with the EC's post-election scrutiny of candidates. All along, he, like all other PPP members and activists loyal to Thaksin, holds a strong grudge against General Prem, even though he has never mentioned the statesman by name.

The EC's decision to keep a large number of PPP candidates on their toes has also made Samak change his positive attitude towards the commission. Immediately after the poll results, he heaped praise on the performance of the EC, saying it was fair and deserved recognition from the international community.

These days his mood towards the EC is foul and he makes caustic remarks about it. Other Thaksin cronies inside PPP no longer show respect for the EC. Paid and duped villagers staged a protest against the provincial EC in Buri Ram province for giving red cards to three PPP candidates.

When Samak talks about invisible and dirty hands in the polls, we should look further and deeper as to whose hand this is. It's not about messing with election results, but the entire process - the manoeuvring, the pulling of strings and, of course, paying vast sums for campaign funds and vote-buying.

We should not kid ourselves into believing politicians and voters all have holy souls with high morals. A large number of candidates bought votes from villagers. Therefore, the hands giving out that money and those receiving it are equally dirty. Their souls are equally soiled. Their hearts and minds show no respect for the democratic process.

Both sides are not honest with themselves - let alone with other people.

Firstly, Samak should also blame the dirty hands that are very visible and responsible for the secret funding of PPP candidates. It does not matter whether he wants to level with the public about what truly motivated him to accept the leadership of the PPP and face adversity in the election.

It is commonly known that to become truly successful in gutter politics most, if not all, politicians do things for money. The candidates invest money from their patrons into buying votes from gullible and cash-strapped villagers. After they win, they sell themselves to the highest bidder for support in the House.

First loyalty was traditionally accorded to the party and the candidates were supposed to toe the party line with discipline. Not anymore - the present Constitution allows candidates to have a free vote when they elect the prime minister. The one with the strongest potential and the money to pay to the satisfaction of money-hungry House members can win.

This style of politics, which doesn't have a conscience, has kept us in a vicious circle for decades with the same faces going through the revolving door every election. Veterans willing to serve the highest bidder are shameless and they always have money to buy votes from gullible voters.

If Samak wants to be forthright with his outspokenness, he should tell the people what he got from his mission and who paid him. Finally, he should speak his heart and let us know what he has received so far, what he still stands to get, and whether it will be worth it if this achievement eventually leads the country to grave risk and turbulence.

 Sopon Onkgara