We hope for a silver lining

The court is expected to issue a verdict very soon - as soon as today or tomorrow.

This reminds the writer about what happened to former premier Samak Sundaravej.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) started creating a racket as soon as Samak took office, and eventually he ended up being dismissed by the Constitution Court for hosting a TV show while in office. The verdict was issued a day after Samak presented his closing statements.

This time around, if the court issues its verdict today or tomorrow, then maybe the current political stalemate will come to an end. After all, if the PPP is dissolved, Somchai's administration will automatically end. This would mean that the PAD would have to stop protesting, we would have a new administration and peace would reign again.

In an ideal world, a party like the Democrats could take over, with Chart Thai, Matchima Thipataya - if they survive the verdict - and other current coalition parties as their partners. After all, Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya had only stuck with the ruling PPP because they were worried about their future. If this scenario were to come true, then we could rule out the formation of an unconstitutional government or a coup.

However, if the present coalition parties opt to stick with Puea Thai, PPP's incarnation, then the protests would not end because PAD's very existence depends on removing all signs of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's from the field of politics.

Plus, that much-hoped for light was blocked by the red shirts - Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship - which claims it would take over the Constitution Court because speeding up the verdict was, in effect, "a coup in disguise".

So here we are. The country's two airports have been taken hostage by one group, another group is planning to take over the courts, while we, the people, hope and pray that life comes back to normal.

jintana@nationgroup.com