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Published on January 23, 2008

Take away the high possibility that Chalerm Yoobamrung will oversee our country's law and order, take away the scorn and contempt you have endured for condoning the clueless generals, take away the I-told-you-so boos from around the globe, take away two "lost years", take away Snoh Thienthong's deadpan betrayal, and take away all the imminent reshuffles and legal manoeuvrings that will likely whitewash the Temasek deal and bring back Thaksin-era tax manuals, the sun probably can still shine today.

So, keep your heads up, and here are the reasons why you should:

1. Democracy has returned. Although it's not the way you like it, the system isn't just about getting what we want, but also living with what we dislike.

2. Samak as prime minister. If Chaturon Chaisaeng and the entire "October" movement do not mind him, why should you?

3. Chalerm as interior minister. The bright side is that vice related to nightlife will decrease for obvious reasons.

4. If you're still crazy enough to go pub hopping, you will have to tell your loved ones you love them - every time you leave home. Good for relationships.

5. Every military reshuffle and subsequent troop movement will keep you on the edge of your seat. Great time ahead for thrill-seekers.

6. The Wall Street Journal has been bullish about the Thai economy and government legitimacy.

7. The Economist, surprisingly late on praising Thailand's bright economic prospects and potential of the People Power Party's management team, will make up for that really soon.

8. Apparently, in their view, nothing that took place under Thaksin constituted massive corruption. If you don't agree, consider the fact that it's a Western, in other words universal, standard we are talking about here.

9. Every Manchester City defeat is like bliss. And there will be lots and lots of them.

10. If you don't like soccer, Thai soap operas are getting better and better. If you do want distraction from politics, I recommend the one that the "Nun" Airways International female crew members are protesting against. Cool scenes of face slapping and glass-shattering shrieks among other things.

11. After two months or less, Snoh Thienthong will whine and moan again about not being respected, about being trapped in the wrong team. This time we can tell him to go to, well, anywhere we think he belongs.

12. Yongyuth Tiyapairat as Parliament president just goes to show the openness of our democracy. Will the father of all democracies, like America, accept him even as an election candidate?

13. By a mile, Abhisit Vejjajiva was the most gorgeous MP at the photo session on the parliamentary inauguration day. (Don't frown. I'm as straight as the guy next to you.)

14. Samak, on the other hand....

15. Time is on Abhisit's side.

16. Samak, on the other hand....

17. Look around you. I bet someone you love is over the moon now with Samak poised to steer Thailand. So it can't be that bad, can it?

18. Censuring the government and prime minister will be a lot easier. It seems like a decade - no, it is actually a decade - since we last saw a prime minister being grilled in Parliament. There's no hiding now from what the Democrats do best, albeit what opponents say they should do for eternity.

19. Watching TV and reading newspapers now is a daily challenge. If you don't crack, it will only make you stronger. Good, routine cardiac exercises, so to speak.

20. Your heart has already passed the first test if you managed to watch Saturday's live broadcast of the alliance announcement until the end without someone calling an ambulance.

21. Samak won't dare ban YouTube, so all your favourites are safe.

22. Oh yes, he's the champion of democracy now, so the rating of Thailand's human rights and media freedom will shoot through the roof.

23. Half of Thailand couldn't be happier.

24. Half of America felt exactly like you do after Florida 2000 - and they have had to live with Bush for eight years now.

25. Hey, guess what? If Samak lasts that long, we will have imitated the world's greatest democracy! And look, we have Yongyuth as Parliament president, too!

If you still can't smile, let's go and have a drink. I know a nice pub that is out of range of you-know-who-whose-father-is-someone-you're-supposed-to-know.

Tulsathit Taptim

The Nation