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Now the possibility of a coup is markedly higher than that of another tsunami.

Two years may have passed and the latest coup may have failed to sort out the deep political divide, but many are still persistently longing for yet another "good old" coup.

Abac Poll, the country's leading pollster, revealed on September 10 that 37.1 per cent of respondents thought another military putsch would help solve the political crisis.

The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy was quoted by Post Today on September 16 as issuing a four-point statement to clarify its stance. Its fourth and last statement was: "[The PAD] do not want a military coup for self-benefit and cronies."

Does that mean they don't mind a "good" coup? Well, to say the least, the September 2006 coup, good or not, was never opposed by the PAD.

Among the moderates who joined the military-installed government were Chulalongkorn University sociologist Surichai Wangaew and Mahidol University "peace" expert Gothom Arya, both members of the now-defunct National Legislative Assembly. Both still behave very normally and respectably, with no sense of contrition or public reflection, as Thai society continues to be haunted by the real possibility of more coups, whether good or bad.

Surichai, for example, has since become a frequent political pundit on public TV station TPBS, which incidentally was created by junta-appointed lawmakers like himself and Gothom.

The two may well spend time writing a serious article reflecting on their role in the 2006 coup and on how academics like themselves help prop it up and in effect perpetuate a vicious cycle which continues to this day.

The 2006 junta, which eventually named itself the Council for National Security, succeeded in making the dreadful Internal Security Act a reality. What's more, the current junta-sponsored Constitution also ensured that the armed forces will be better equipped and more money will pour in to maintain hi-tech weaponry.

Two years after the coup, the dual role of the Army is becoming more pronounced. This is clearly evident from the frequency of political questions posted by reporters to Army chief General Anupong Paochinda.

"Will there be another coup, sir?"

"Who should be the new defence minister, sir?"

"Sir, what do you think about the new Cabinet?"

As if the military's political power is not radiating far enough, PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul recently told foreign media that under the group's proposed New Politics he wants to see the armed forces placed not under the government's control but under His Majesty the King. He also wants the appointment of top generals decided by the Defence Council, not the defence minister, and then approved or disapproved by the King.

It's very disturbing to imagine what such a structure would do to Thailand.

In the end, isn't it time society tried harder to understand the continued addiction to military coups?

The PAD recently attacked academics as being good for nothing because they allegedly looked at democracy in a very rigid manner like "opening and eating canned fish" without knowing how to adapt the fish into a spicy salad.

Well, the addiction of the PAD and many people to a "good" coup reminds this writer more of canned fish and a quick fix, however, because they don't want to try to engage themselves politically with the majority of people through dialogue and debate.

They simply continue to think that by supporting the opening of yet another can of instant coup, Thailand will magically become a just and democratic society.