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The first is the outspoken Major General Kattiya Sawatdipol, also known as Sae Dang, and the second is gentleman General Pathompong Kesornsook, the clean-cut spotlight-chasing senior officer at the Thai Armed Forces, formerly known as the Supreme Command.

Both men are part of an officer corps that consists of more than 1,000 generals. The vast majority of them don't have much to do except to walk around trying to make themselves look important. Others moonlight to generate extra income for themselves and for their associates.

Kattiya and Pathompong, on the other hand, decided to get involved in the ongoing crisis, thinking that their clout and charisma would help save the day.

In one corner, standing just metres behind an army of pro-government Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship demonstrators, is the outspoken, battle-harden Kattiya, who relies on his military experience, which he milks to an absurd extreme.

In the other corner, trying hard to be the voice of reason, but failing to capture the imagination of anyone except for a handful of clapping members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), is Pathompong. He actually thinks he has the moral authority to get people to listen to him.

For the record, Sae Dang insists that he was at the scene of the clashes only to observe. Here is a man who boasts proudly about his knowledge of weapons and bomb-making expertise. But this half-baked analyst with an axe to grind could not hide his political agenda.

When Sae Dang doesn't like you, you'll know it. Those who want to know if they are on his hit list should check out his website, www.sae-dang.com. The first image that will great you is that of Sae Dang in combat gear pointing his M16 rifle at you. Don't be alarmed though, it's probably filled with blanks.

Mister clean-cut Pathompong, on the other hand, has been flying high on borrowed wings for most of his career. His wife, Khunying Supatra Masdit, was a well-known PM's Office Minister during the Chuan Leekpai government. The general is said to have special relations with Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda.

But opportunity was knocking on his door during Thailand's diplomatic stand-off with Cambodia over the historic Preah Vihear Temple. Despite having no real expertise on the issue, Pathompong went on the PAD stage and demanded that the historic temple be given back to Thailand. He returned to the stage repeatedly just to tell PAD demonstrators what they wanted to hear.

Dang, on the other hand, is still holding out and has yet to declare where his allegiance lies. This gun-for-hire, it seems, is studying the battlefield.

One wonders why the military top brass is allowing men under its command to run around with one playing Rambo and the other the role of smarmy preacher. Surely top officials are aware that their activities give the military a bad name.