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Somchai does not know when or whether he can return to Bangkok. In a deceptive act, he seeks protection from red-shirted militant supporters whose thuggish and murderous streak has caused the deaths of several anti-government protesters.

He obviously does not trust police security, less so the guards provided by the military. His reluctance to come to Bangkok is due to the fear that he could be captured and forced to resign.

Since his flight from Peru, he has spent most of his time in Chiang Mai, the hometown of his wife and the main pro-government stronghold. Shortly after, red-shirted thugs surrounded a house and murdered an old man, witnessed by police with indifference.

Somchai has refused to quit and dissolve the House as suggested by the Army chief. He retorted with indignation: "What wrong have I done?" He feigns ignorance over more than a few personal scandals in official and personal conduct.

The worst crisis he faces is the weeklong People's Alliance for Democracy siege of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports and Government House. The two airports are completely shut down and services have been diverted to provincial airports.

Being a lame-duck national leader is an understatement. Somchai is a laughing stock, worse than the emperor with no clothes. Even if he wants to quit, to regain some self respect, or salvage what remains of his wrecked stature, he cannot do so without permission either from his wife or his fugitive brother-in-law, Thaksin Shinawatra.

He no longer has the ability to rule. His Cabinet members are also too frightened to stay at home. On Sunday, PAD anti-government protesters gathered at the residences of Interior Minister Kowit Wathana and of Somchai. Their plush houses no longer provide refuge or solace.

The long-running crisis and political stalemate could be resolved instantly, PAD leaders insist, if Somchai resigns. The PAD would end the siege of the two airports, allowing parties concerned to seek a workable solution.

The call for resignation still does not impress Somchai. He argues repeatedly that he must stay on to protect democracy. To hell with the current mess and the unpredictable consequences - which may include violence and bloodshed between the rival factions.

Being a bureaucrat throughout his entire career, Somchai might not have learned that the resignation of a political leader is part of the normal democratic process if it alleviates a crisis or opens the way for other options. His resignation is long overdue.

What's more, Somchai does not care about acts of terrorism being carried out almost nightly, with unknown elements attacking PAD protesters inside the Government House compound with grenades, causing deaths and scores of casualties. Police have been unable to make any arrests.

There have been grenade attacks and shootings elsewhere, including at the headquarters of ASTV, the key media outlet for the PAD, which helped bring about the downfall of Thaksin and his hand-picked puppet successor Samak Sundaravej.

The agony for Somchai goes on, and his days are obviously numbered. The Constitutional Court will this week allow the People Power, Chat Thai and Matchima parties to present their final arguments to convince judges why they should not be dissolved despite damning evidence of election cheating.

As of now, it looks like a foregone conclusion that the three coalition parties are doomed. If judged guilty and the parties dissolved, Somchai and his Cabinet will cease to exist. Executive members will face five-year bans from political activities.

Yet, the survivors will join a new party and fight to regain power with a huge war chest made available by Thaksin and his rich cronies. It will be a no-holds-barred battle that Thaksin cannot lose as he becomes persona non grata in many countries.

The end of the Somchai Cabinet will not end the political crisis. His red-shirted supporters have vowed to fight with all means, rejecting a court process they regard as unjust. The country may enter a more violent state. A general election with the Thaksin crowd taking another bought victory will surely lead to chaos, especially if there remains the attempt to rewrite the Constitution to help the convict ex-PM.

Without tough hands and the enforcement of law and order, we may be trapped in a failed state, brought about by the hand of Thaksin with his unfathomable desire for vendettas, revenge and regaining power. Fair play is not in his power game.