
"Nobody can bring me back to Thailand, except royal kindness of HM the King or the power of the people," Thaksin said.
Before the gathering started, the military, a fortune teller and analysts thought Thaksin might fail to phone in to provoke his supporters and seek sympathy from them. Critics feared that if Thaksin could successfully talk to his supporters another war would definitely begin. So, they believed the military would never let the phone-in happen and would do everything to block Thaksin's speech. But the military did nothing.
Thaksin finally emerged the winner and felt more conceited. He now has nothing to fear. The military has ruled out a coup unless there is bloodshed. Thaksin's antagonists, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), are weakening and lacking support from the public.
People Power Party MP Jatuporn Promphan, one of the hosts of "The Truth Today" talk show programme, once said, "We now have nothing to fear. It is beyond that point [to fear]. If the military staged a coup, we will stand up to fight. We will gather at Sanam Luang immediately."
After the mass gathering at the Rajamangala Stadium, Thaksin's supporters launched a series of operations to fight for Thaksin.
It started last Monday when a group of over 100 red-shirted members of the pro-government camp laid siege to the TPBS after the TV station reported that some government supporters were paid to join the November 1 rally. The TPBS had to apologise to the angry protesters.
After that, some ideas to save Thaksin from his penalty were floated in the media.
Asking for a royal pardon for Thaksin's two-year jail term in the Ratchadaphisek land case is one of those. But it was opposed by critics. Some said Thaksin is not qualified for the royal pardon because he has not served his jail term yet.
Issuing an amnesty bill for the banned 111 executive members of the defunct Thai Rak Thai, proposed by some PPP MPs, was also attacked. The opposition, including some PPP MPs, argued that an amnesty law should be in public interest, not for specific individuals. However, the bill cannot completely save Thaksin as long as he has to serve his jail term.
The proposed amendment of the Constitution was another attack by the Thaksin camp. The amendment may likely lead to confrontation between pro- and anti-government groups, which could plunge the country into further turmoil. The PAD declared it will oppose the amendment until the end. If the government proposes the amendment bill to the House they will rally to besiege Parliament. The red-shirted pro-government supporters were ready to protect the parliament.
In the meantime the pro-Thaksin camp was building its conceit. Organisers of "The Truth Today" show plan to organise the third "The Truth Today" mobile talk show on November 19 in Khon Kaen. They also plan to launch a new satellite TV like ASTV of the PAD to reach out to more supporters.
Many of the supporters approached the government to launch a counter-attack against its opponents.
The police hastily filed a charge against nine PAD leaders with the Office of Attorney-General. Moreover, Rosana Tositrakul, a senator known as Thaksin's enemy, was impeached by a group of PPP MPs, accusing her of bringing her husband to the Parliament meeting room. Those actions are aimed at weakening its opponents.
Last, but not the least, the call for Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda to mediate between the feuding parties in an effort to end the ongoing political conflict by a group of PPP MPs was very interesting. They should have realised that it was impossible Prem would agree to that request.
It seems a clash of rivals cannot be avoided.