Strange Bedfellows : White knight and the dark prince

That's because the Democrat Party leader is famous for being a decent politician, while Newin was a close aide and adviser to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, with a much dark?er reputation which saw him dubbed a "Khmer Shaman".

The picture of Abhisit and Newin came from a tour he made to thank key members of parties allied to People Power or factions from the former ruling party who swapped sides and vowed to support him as PM.

The unusual tour started on Monday when Abhisit visited the banned veteran politicians including former Chart Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa, former Matchima Thipataya leader Anongwan Thepsuthin and her husband Somsak, who was a Thai Rak Thai executive.

Then on Tuesday Abhisit vis?ited former Thai Rak Thai exec?utive Suwat Liptapanlop, who has links to the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party.

But it was Abhisit's meeting with the head of the 'Friends of Newin' faction on Tuesday that stunned me. I kept saying to myself, "This is politics. There are no permanent friends nor permanent enemies in politics."

Newin looks set to be the decisive powerbroker able to help Abhisit become prime minister.

The Democrat might say he hugged Newin for the sake of the country.

And while Abhisit might not be an angel, and Newin may not be the most evil politician, the scene still seemed awkward.

I still remember a look from the corner of Abhisit's eye when he turned to others instead of politely refusing to answer a question I put to him 12 years ago. Other reporters, young or seniors, had seen that gesture before.

But he seemed to be less sar?castic to others during a recent interview.

I called a key Democrat to ask what was behind Abhisit's decision to hold Newin's hand.

"Nothing is perfect. It's up to our angle [on this]," the veter?an politician said.

"Newin was dubbed 'Yee Hoi Roi Yee' ('Ugly 120'), as he bought votes for Bt120 baht each. But there are politicians who bought votes for Bt200 each but were not arrested," he said.

"Is Newin smart? He is, many have approved. Did he cheat? Some might be a better cheater than him. Is Newin bad? Not too bad, as he has now changed from Thaksin [to sup?port us]."

Now, I know the way politi?cians think and how ordinary people should accept that.

But it's up to Abhisit to show if his hug was for the sake of the country or himself.