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Recently, the movie "Bangkok Dangerous" was shown in the capital. The plot was tame in comparison to what is going on in the streets of Bangkok. Thailand, for the first time, has made it to the top 20 most dangerous places in the world. The list, compiled by the UK's Daily Telegraph, was aimed at British holidaymakers planning trips abroad.

Placing Thailand alongside Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, Jamaica and Congo has given us the eerie feeling that this nation has degenerated from being an admired and fun-loving country to one with gunfire and mayhem on the streets. Welcome to Toyland. Thailand is no longer a place that represents peace, tranquility and peace of mind. Amazingly, it is Thailand no more.

For the past week, news reports across the world have shown the country being torn apart. People are now willing to kill each other, thinking they are warriors protecting democracy. This is indeed a dark time for Thailand. The land of smiles has now turned into a land of anarchy.

At the end of World War II, Thailand was nothing - a country emerging from the scourge of war that had officially sided with the Axis forces. But the Allied forces recognised the heroic resistance of some Thais and turned a loser into a victor on other fronts. Since then, Thailand has carried the heavy stigma of its ever-changing position in global politics.

Over the past six decades, this country has suffered all kinds of political problems. But the political crisis of the past few months has reached a nadir, with the anti-government movement seizing Suvarnabhumi Airport. The week-long occupation of the air hub has puzzled the whole world.

People who love Thailand are flabbergasted that Thai society has descended this far to the brink of self-destruction. They bemoan the lack of Thai democratic values. They call the Thai political system "demo-crazy".

It is interesting to note that while many "colour revolutions" have occurred in recent years in Europe, Thailand's confrontation between yellow and red is much different. Both sides have specific objectives to either reinstate or remove permanently Thaksin Shinawatra from the Thai political scene.

Thaksin, who was deposed in the 2006 coup, is a main cause of the chaos throughout Thailand. He has made use of all available funds and media to spin his image and reputation as a democratic leader who was unfairly deposed. Thaksin's deep pockets have enabled him to create multiple images and illusions in foreign countries.

At this juncture, Thailand has all but lost its competitive edge. Literally, the country is in ruins. In normal times, such a situation would dampen any quick economic revival or return to normalcy. But the ongoing global recession will make the future of Thailand even bleaker.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has no sense of the damage being done to the country. He is like Humpty Dumpty, sitting on the fence as if nothing has happened. He was shown on TV visiting a temple in Nakhon Phanom while the country collapses around us. He has showed no leadership because he has no leadership qualities at all.

Events over the next few days before HM the King's birthday will be indicative of the future that lies ahead. After more than 10 months of deliberation, the Constitution Court on Wednesday will deliver its verdict on the legal status of three coalition parties - People Power, Matchima and Chat Thai. Thaksin's supporters have said that they plan to disturb the court proceedings.

We hope that, in the end, Thais' common sense, if there is any left, will prevail. Things may improve anyway because they cannot get much worse than what we have witnessed and experienced so far. The destruction has been wrought by all concerned parties, but over time, this country can return to normalcy and work hard again to reclaim loss of confidence and trust.