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Any hope of a more stable Thailand after the Supreme Court's verdict against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is wishful thinking. On the contrary, the political temperature looks set to rise again. Another clash between anti-government protesters and pro-government supporters seems likely.

Lt Gen Chamlong Srimuang, the leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, has announced that the protesters will continue to rally at the Government House. The protesters, he said, would do so until Somchai Wongsawat, the prime minister, resigns. The PAD will also try to block the government from rewriting the Constitution. The PAD will be removing its stage and equipment at the Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge so that it can concentrate on fortifying Government House.

At the same time, Pol Gen Salang Bunnag, now retired, said after a merit-making ceremony for the country in Chiang Mai, he would lead a group of people to surround protesters at the Government House. His intention is to block logistic supplies such as food and water to the anti-government protesters. He said he would seal the Government House for three days in this counterattack. Friendly countries would be supplying him with the equipment for this operation. He refused to identify the countries or elaborate on his operation to reclaim the Government House. Several weeks ago, Salang issued a similar threat by saying that he would lead pro-government supporters into the Government House to quash the protesters.

Thailand cannot move forward if anti-government protesters and pro-government supporters continue to play this game. The conflict must be settled through the rule of law. The judicial system has done its job. It is now the duty and responsibility of all parties to abide by decisions of the courts of the land, which guard Thailand's rule of law.

Yesterday a crowd of angry protesters made the situation worse by throwing shoes and plastic bottles at the entourage of PM Somchai Wongsawat, who was visiting TOT, the state-owned telecom firm. Somchai was greeted with abuse by more than 100 employees. This does not bode well for the country. The protests against Somchai are now going beyond the proper practice. The protesters are angry at the government's suppression of their demonstration on October 7. Riot police outside Parliament fired suspect tear-gas canisters to disperse the rowdy protesters, leaving hundreds injured and two dead.

For the sake of Thailand, all parties should take a step back and let the rule of law run its course. Hearings on other corruption cases against Thaksin will continue in the Supreme Court's Office for Political Office Holders. The Constitution Court will also be hearing cases of party dissolution against the ruling parties. The outcomes of these rulings, whether one likes them or not, should be considered final. Then we can move on.

The PAD must withdraw from the Government House. It has already celebrated a victory with the Supreme Court's verdict against Thaksin, who was sentenced to two years in jail in the Ratchadapisek land deal. Thailand is due to host the Asean Summit in December, and this cannot go ahead smoothly if the protesters continue their occupation. They must disperse and look at other ways to air their political opinions in other forums.

A retreat by the PAD would lead to a calmer political situation as the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship would not have any incentive to hold pro-government rallies. Any potential confrontation or clash between the anti-government protesters and the pro-government supporters could then be avoided.

If the opposing sides are willing, rationality will prevail over emotion. We have enough political trouble as it is. Now is the time for both sides to make a sacrifice and behave as decent, law-abiding citizens. Both sides must let the courts of the country do their work. Only then will there be light at the end of the tunnel.