Streetwise: Stoned MPs prompt swift action by police

Weeks ago, one can still remember the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD)'s anger over the police's slowness in taking action against the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), whose seizure of Bangkok airports led to financial damage of over Bt100 billion.

Yesterday, only a day after DAAD surrounded Parliament to pressure MPs during their voting for new MPs, police were real quick to press charges against the protesters. They said that stoning MPs' cars on their way out of Parliament was destroying other people's property. By blocking the exit, they were depriving others of freedom of movement.

Another example involves the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

For two years, the ministry has received complaints that they should revoke the red passport issued to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, which guaranteed him privileges in entering any country with diplomatic ties with Thailand.

Yeah, during that time, there had been no action, as they said they needed an order from the prime minister in office.

Again, yesterday, the ministry's official was ready to have the red passport returned, even when the new prime minister was just announced and has not been sworn in yet. The Council of State was also asked to determine if Thaksin's ordinary passport could be cancelled.

Indeed, some businessmen have also been moving with amazing alacrity in the past months.

Before, most avoided commenting on politics, fearing that their business could be in danger from the politicians who were criticised. Then, they were quick to tell the public that another coup would plunge the economy into chaos, when there were rumours of a coup. Then, after the airports were shut down, some were quick to say that the damage was greater than another coup. They were also quick to say that former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat must leave office, so that the PAD would return the airports and they could resume their business.

If I were the prime minister, my nerves would always be on edge. In the world where people act so quickly like this and where the PM must please all, it is real hard to know if tomorrow the gift on the desk would be a flower or a rock.