Reasons why Kasit will be eased out

Firstly, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government badly needs to prove it can take the high moral ground - one that is far higher than the other government that the Democrats used to criticise. The moral high ground here would be that any minister facing criminal charges must step down.

Where Kasit is concerned, being charged with terrorism might be unfair, or even too harsh, because as far as he knows, he has never done anything that can be deemed terrorist. The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is not an organisation of terrorists in accordance with the United Nations' definition.

However, in a civilised country, nobody has the right to seize an airport or block mass transportation for political purposes. The airport seizure could be considered a criminal act, if not pure terrorism. There is no constitution that would give citizens the right to control an international airport just to express their political will.

Since Kasit was supporting PAD's action, it is only reasonable that he be charged. And since he faces criminal charges, it is necessary that he step down to pave the way for legal proceedings, otherwise there could be allegations that people in power are intervening.

Besides, Abhisit has to prove that he will not use his authority to protect a minister or allow government intervention.

Secondly, Kasit has to prove that he still believes and shares the political ideology of the PAD. Other PAD leaders face the same charges, but since none of them are in government, they have no way of using their authority to protect themselves.

As far as the PAD and Kasit are concerned, they were fighting for democracy, and the airport seizure - whether legal or not - was simply a means to an end. They obviously knew what consequences their action would have, and since the PAD members facing the charges will be tried as ordinary citizens, Kasit should be too.

Thirdly, Abhisit realises that Kasit is more a liability than an asset, not only because the red shirts have always targeted him, but because the latest charges make him an even bigger thorn in the government's side. His provocative manner has ruffled quite a few feathers, and has even annoyed the military, which backs this government. Still, Kasit has never shown any restraint, freely bursting into verbal warfare.

With Kasit in office, Abhisit has had to defend him almost every day and the controversies he has created have been undermining whatever he may have done at the foreign ministry. In fact, Kasit has wasted more time arguing with reporters than he has handling foreign affairs.