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Most Thais felt disappointed with the joint parliamentary session on Sunday, held to debate the political crisis engulfing the country. They have a right to feel so. The debate went nowhere as to how we can overcome the crisis and find a way out in the wake of protesters taking over Government House and solidifying their demonstration. Parliament turned into a talking shop that reinforced the bitter social and political divide in this country as senators and members of the House of Representatives pointed fingers at each other. The problem was that Parliament was not prepared to take any position. If Parliament had any guts, it would have voted on a joint resolution, point by point, as a recommendation on how all Thais should end the political crisis. But nobody was proposing any resolutions. Parliament became a forum for blame and digging up the past.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat Party, did make a good point: Samak Sundaravej, the prime minister, is no longer in control of the situation, and if he really wants to restore peace and order to the country, he should consider resigning. The Democrats do not mind if Samak dissolves Parliament and hands power back to the people, although this option would hurt all politicians equally. But Samak is adamant that he will not resign, nor is he prepared to dissolve Parliament. As he came to power through parliamentary means, he will not allow a "street gang" to unseat him.

Most of the MPs under the government's wing rose to defend Samak and attack the People's Alliance for Democracy, which they say is the source of the political turmoil. They did not hesitate to link the Democrats as secretly supporting the PAD behind the scenes. The Democrats boiled with rage. They blamed the turmoil on the government's attempt to rewrite the constitution to help out former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and to prevent the People Power Party from being disbanded by a court verdict. The Democrats also blamed the government for mishandling the Preah Vihear Temple dispute and for using NBT, which operates Channel 11, as its mouthpiece.

The marathon debate ended late at night without any resolution. It was a classic exercise in futility. But Samak played this parliamentary game tactically. After having an audience with His Majesty the King at Hua Hin on Saturday, Samak tried to create the impression that he would continue to serve as prime minister to the end. His party and the coalition partners jumped to this tune. Banharn Silapa-archa, the Chart Thai leader, proposed a joint session between the Senate and the House of Representatives to debate the crisis.

The joint session would serve to enhance Samak's status as the politician who plays by democratic rules and principles. The debate was structured as an open field where members could air their opinions freely, without voting for any resolution. Samak would rely on his verbal strength to overpower his opponents.

After the PAD's takeover of Government House last Tuesday, Samak sought to augment his ties with the military. He held his Cabinet meeting at the military command centre on Chaeng Wattana Road. As defence minister, Samak hinted that he had a good relationship with military leaders, who assured him they would not stage a coup. The military also expressed its reluctance if Samak were to declare a state of emergency to take on protesters and remove them from Government House.

Samak won this round in the public relations battle. He has ordered the police to play it soft. The police have announced they will not use batons when they face protesters. The clashes on Friday backfired against the government, leading state enterprise workers and PAD supporters upcountry to revolt by suspending public services and blocking access to airports in Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai. The government quickly retreated from using force against the protesters. Samak will try to hang on until at least mid-September when Parliament is expected to pass the 2009 budget. This budget is crucial to the country and the government because money will go to projects including populist programmes. Once the budget is passed, Samak will be ready for anything.

The problem is that, between now and mid-September, anything could happen.