Political cross-pulls pose challenge to premier

If certain events in the past week can be a guide, the persisting perception of political instability might be attributed to the unseen rather than what meets the eye.

The debate about the fate of Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and the phone-in phenomenon both have underlying issues far more important than the superficial questions related to Kasit or the phone-in messages.

The underlying issues are about a two-pronged power struggle confronting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

In spite of Abhisit being firmly at the government's helm, two rival camps are hard at work to sway the prime minister to go their way in a do-or-die manner.

Abhisit is being tormented by two opposing forces - from the yellow shirts and the red shirts. And his leadership appears to be overshadowed by the polarisation.

The debate on Kasit shows the power struggle triggered by the yellow shirts, a mass movement led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, which is in the process of transforming itself into the New Politics Party.

The demand for Kasit's exit by the opposition Pheu Thai Party and its proxy, the red shirts, is anticipated and understandable.

From the opposition's point of view, Kasit is seen as a hound dogging former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

But it is unexpected that the yellow-shirt camp, seen as pro-Kasit, should step forward to suggest his resignation.

To be fair, the majority of yellow shirts are rallying behind him. And those in favour of his departure are doing so in good faith to preserve his integrity instead of having malicious intent.

When police first revealed the summons for Kasit on suspicion of his involvement in an act of international terrorism related to the Suvarnabhumi Airport seizure in December, the yellow shirts swiftly launched into his defence.

The PAD has spearheaded the campaign to defend his decision to carry on the job in spite of the legal wrangling. It has also blamed police for trying to file a trumped-up charge related to terrorism.

Later, some PAD leaders appear to have adjusted their stand.

Senator Kamnoon Sithisaman has suggested Kasit step down to uphold his integrity. PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila has hinted at a frame-up against Kasit by an "order from above".

The ASTV-Manager Group, seen as the yellow-shirt mouthpiece, has focused on an alleged conspiracy to get rid of Kasit.

It claims Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban hosted a Samui holiday for the top brass, including Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Army chief General Anupong Paochinda.

The conspiracy was allegedly hatched to force out Kasit over policy differences related to the Preah Vihear Temple.

Although issues related to ethical standards appear to dominate the debate on Kasit, the reading between the lines actually indicates a struggle to have the prime minister's ear, involving the yellow shirts and the Suthep clique.

Regarding the red shirts making political waves, the uncertainty appears to heighten after each and every phone-in from Thaksin. The telephoning tactics have now expanded to include calls from fugitive red-shirt co-leader Jakrapob Penkair.

No one seems to notice that reactions, be they positive or negative, have generated more publicity than the actual phone-ins.

Even though freedom of expression is an inalienable right, is it legally justified for Pheu Thai lawmakers and the red shirts to publicly air and regurgitate views designed to defile the sanctity of the law and mock the judiciary?