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Senators started grilling his government on Monday, while more attacks were launched yesterday. Meanwhile, outside Parliament, the People's Alliance for Democracy is staging a protest in front of Government House. Though not joining the PAD, a group of labourers, affected by the soaring cost of living, reached Government House to file their request for a wage hike.

Amidst all this turmoil, Samak remains defiant.

On Monday, after the debate, senators who took turns to criticise him revealed to the press that they didn't expect Samak or his government to listen to any proposals. As they said, Samak told them in Parliament that they "could use any reasons to criticise former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but do not expect to do the same thing with a man like Samak".

He must have felt that wholeheartedly. After unleashing his emotions at the Senate, he went to the Labour Ministry. There, he took in a tour of an exhibition, in a good mood.

After tasting a banana, he joined the ministry's computerised job-placement booth. He filled an application form to see if there were any jobs available for a 73-year-old man like himself. He grumbled at the result, as there was nothing at all.

"Why?" he said. "A man at my age is supposed to be at home, raising children and grandchildren?"

It's unclear whether there was a computer error or it was a gag by Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong, but Samak was later informed that a job was open for him in Narathiwat and Yala - the violence-wracked border provinces. At this point, Samak laughed and said nothing. Obviously, he is looking for a job in Bangkok, which is reasonable given that he has just had his fourth grandchild and naturally wants to stay home.

Yet Samak should also realise that in a world where most are retired at 65, who indeed would hire a 73-year-old man? Maybe this explains why he has insisted that he won't quit his job or dissolve Parliament, which would automatically end his job, knowing that there are few others open for him.

Whatever, we're glad that he was in a good mood and we hope he will remain so throughout the no-confidence debate. We know too well how dangerous he can be when his mood swings.