Top ten alias of 2008

1. October 7 crackdown on protesters

The protesters' siege of Parliament House has been voted by reporters as the year's top news. The tear gas debacle led to high causalities and unprecedented mayhem, while the prime minister and lawmakers were forced to scale the walls of Parliament House to escape the blockade.

2. Quote of the year - Mobs pulling strings

Interior Minister Kowit Watana made this depiction of the street protests led by the People's Alliance for Democracy while responding to a motion raised on the House floor. He admitted to feeling despair since the protesters appeared to have the backing of "powerful patrons".

3. House being depicted as nominees' battleground

Barred lawmakers are seen as setting up family members, relatives and allies as their proxies to fill their vacated House seats.

4. Senate labelled as two factions armed with knives

The Upper Chamber has been divided into two camps - those appointed to their posts and those elected - which are trying to undermine one another.

5. Senate speaker earning the nickname of Judge Pao - the flautist in turmoil

Prasopsuk Boondet was a retired judge before being elected Senate speaker. He has tried but failed to mend fences among rival senators. He appears to have given up his mediation efforts. He chooses to be indifferent like a flautist playing his music amid the turmoil.

6. House speaker known for being under the patronage of his son

Chai Chidchob, 80, is one of the oldest lawmakers. His legislative career would have faded had he not secured the backing of his son and power broker, Newin. Since Newin is facing a five-year ban from the electoral process, he is seen as pulling strings via his father Chai.

7. Opposition leader being lucky for securing Thep's blessing

Abhisit Vejjajiva received his lucky break in moving from the opposition bench to the prime minister's office due to the intense lobbying efforts of Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thuagsuban. Suthep, whose name means good angel, is seen as Abhisit's patron saint responsible for boosting his political career.

8. Ruangkrai Leekitwatana - a rising star

The senator won kudos for initiating the judicial review on the qualifications of then prime minister Samak Sundaravej, who lost the job due to his involvement in a TV cooking show.

9. Yongyuth Tiyapairat - a falling star

Yongyuth lost his position as House speaker following his conviction for election fraud. This led to the dissolution of the People Power Party.

10. Monthien Boontan - a dedicated lawmaker

Monthien was appointed to his Senate seat under the quota allocated to people living with disabilities. In spite of his blindness, he has maintained a perfect attendance record.