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There are two clearly defined groups of people squaring off, and neither is prepared to concede any ground to the other.

But while the pro- and anti-government groups are heading towards a flashpoint, squarely in the middle, as always, are people who belong to neither group. Their position can also be described as precarious, as they are tugged one way and then the other; anyone daring to mention or propose "reconciliation" is immediately attacked. The message from both sides is clear: "Don't be silly. The country needs you. You must take a side."

Social critic Prawase Wasi was attacked as being against the Constitution after proposing the idea of forming a national government to end the conflict. When he said later the confronting sides could do what they wanted as long as they did not violate others' rights, he was attacked by People Power Party (PPP) MPs for encouraging people to join the street protests.

The White Ribbon Group, led by Thammasat University deputy rector Parinya Thewanaruemitkul and which campaigns against political violence, was also attacked by the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for grabbing the opportunity to get media coverage.

Outspoken monk Phra Payom Kalayano criticised protesters for bringing children to the rally, where they are schooled in aggressiveness and become accustomed to rude words. The monk was attacked by the PAD.

PAD co-leader Sondhi Limthongkul said Phra Payom Kalayano should be teaching the government to behave instead of using rhetoric that had no use.

Not only is the state divided, but also people do not know whom to trust. The credibility of judicial and investigative agencies has been shaken by attacks aimed at their personnel.

Attacked for taking sides, Election Commission member Sodsri Satayathum was recently accused on the PAD rally stage of secretly meeting with former Thai Rak Thai Party executive Chaturon Chaisang in China and accepting jewellery as a bribe.

Sodsri showed what she called evidence to deny the allegations.

Meanwhile, the anti-corruption group PRAC, which opposes the PAD, accused Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka, also a member of the Assets Examination Committee, of being unusually rich in that she owns a Bt50-million house. She denied it was worth that much.

She was attacked earlier when the activist group filed a complaint with the Department of Special Investigation that her husband's company was the only one chosen to organise training projects worth tens of millions of baht for the Office of the Auditor-General.

At the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, the source of Bt2 million in cash left there by a lawyer and the reasons behind it remain a mystery. The case has shaken the credibility of the court at a time when the people were beginning hope the judiciary could help end the political conflict.

The street protesters say they believe in democracy. However, they do not trust the government or the present MPs even though they were voted in by the people. The PAD says the Samak Sundaravej government and the ruling PPP are clearly under the influence of Thaksin Shinawatra.

Meanwhile, Samak has refused to answer the Senate's questions in a debate to scrutinise the government during the extraordinary parliamentary session. The opposition has proposed a no-confidence motion against Samak and seven ministers. The process is still under way, and it is uncertain whether the government will again turn down the motion.

On the other hand, the government should prove itself, in accordance with the system. It should allow Senate and the House debates scrutinising it.

Persistent confrontation, paranoia and divisiveness are of little use to the country. However, to end the conflict, disputing parties need a common agreement. Then we should return to the rule of law. Bring issues back to the Parliament and let the checks-and-balances system work the way it should.

The country deserves to regain democracy, something everyone claims for their own legitimacy.