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Someone called it a "Coup via TV" as Anupong was flanked by the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, Gen Songkitti Jaggabat; and Commanders-in-Chief of the Air Force and Navy as well as the national police chief.

They all shared the opinion that the premier should resign to take responsibility for the Oct 7 bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters in which two were killed and hundreds injured.

Anupong's key message was that there was blood spilling on the streets on Oct 7 and no government could survive in such a bad situation.

In other words, the government would have to take responsibility for the tragedy or else society would not accept it.

From the armed forces' point of view, PM Somchai had lost the legitimacy to govern following the bloody crackdown so he should no longer stay in office.

Never before in the history of modern Thai politics had such a strongly-worded statement against a sitting premier made publicly on TV and endorsed by all the chiefs of armed forces.

Then, Anupong's move was followed by a new round of protests by the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Thousands of PAD supporters were on the streets of Bangkok's Silom Road and other business districts yesterday, pressuring the government to take its responsibility.

In the prevailing context of politics, PM Somchai has few choices.

First, he could be waiting for the formation of a Constitution-Drafting Assembly (CDA) as the government and Parliament plan to convene a House session to lay the groundwork for its establishment next week.

Given this, he might be ready to quit once the process of setting up the CDA is in place, paving the way for amendments to the 2007 charter.

Charter amendments are among the most important tasks of the ruling People Power Party and allies of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra who have long been unhappy with this charter.

Second, Thaksin's allies, especially, PM Somchai, who is Thaksin's brother-in-law, are probably closely watching developments leading to a crucial court verdict, due later this month, on the Rachada-pisek land case.

In this controversial case, Thaksin was accused of abusing his power while in office to facilitate a sweet deal for his wife to buy a prime land plot from the state.

Thaksin and his wife, Khunying Pojaman, showed up in court to defend themselves on this case once (prior to fleeing the country on bail) so the court was likely to hand down its verdict on Oct 22.

Third, PM Somchai said yesterday he had given a high-powered committee a total of 15 days to investigate the Oct 7 bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters.

The results of this fact-finding body should be known sometime early next month after which the premier is expected to make a decision on his future.

Last but not least, PM Somchai may have to sack all commanders of the armed forces for telling him the truth.