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If the two fail to accommodate one another, then by next April the country will likely see a full-blown confrontation between the government and the military, and the political turmoil may degenerate into a free fall.

The pressing concern is not about the possibility of a coup, but rather a dire scenario of social strife incited in the name of democracy.

Anupong has been bold and courageous in his call for the prime minister's resignation as a way to assume responsibility for the October 7 violent crackdown.

By stepping into the fray, the Army chief had expected to reverse the downward spiral of political rifts but ended up involving himself and the military in the thick of animosity.

In his reaction, Somchai decided to put on a brave face by vowing to carry on with his job. Although he tried to act in defiance of the military, political woes keep on piling up, and it has become doubtful how long he can keep Anupong's call on the back burner.

At this juncture, Somchai appears to be heeding the hawkish advice of his People Power Party to cling to office. But without the support of the powerful military establishment, his government is nothing but a lame duck faced with great uncertainty.

Should Somchai decide to coerce the military support by replacing Anupong at the mid-year reshuffle of the top brass next April, he will risk further alienating the soldiers and inflaming social divisions.

Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong has voiced concern about a fresh outbreak of violence.

The bloodshed from the crowd dispersal in front of Parliament is a dark chapter in the annals of Thai political history, and many anticipate that under Somchai's leadership, more blood will be spilled.

Somchai should spend time alone and away from his strong-willed wife, Yaowapa, aides and party MPs, to reflect on his performance, in order form his own conclusion.

He should ask himself hard questions about which is more important: society or his party's survival.

Heavy casualties were inflicted on the very day he announced his policy statement inaugurating his government. The tragedy happened under his watch, and it is a disgrace to play a blame game in order to avoid culpability.

When Anupong aired his critical view of the government last Thursday, he also made two important points: soldiers will not march out of their barracks to seize power; and the armed forces will not become involved in crowd dispersal.

The escalation of the turmoil is attributed partly to attempts by the government and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to lure the soldiers into crushing the other party.

Anupong has made it clear the military will not fall prey to siding with either of the opposing camps.

Unfortunately, the PAD is persistent in trying to claim the military's support in bringing about the government's downfall. PAD leaders appear enigmatic when they claim to be democracy advocates while encouraging the seizure of power.

The government, in turn, has opted to hear only Anupong's pledge not to stage a coup and ignore his advice on the growing discontent triggered by the government's insensitivity to bloodshed.

Somchai and his allies have ploughed ahead with mobilising pro-government crowds. They neglect to heed warnings that a fight between opposing crowds, if one erupts, would inflict greater damage than a power seizure.

The rival camps are prepping all of the right ingredients to incite a breakout of social strife. Will Somchai call a snap election to check the downward spiral of politics? Or will he cling to office and drag everything down with him?