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If rumours could come true after being heard often enough, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban could be on a flight to Dubai right now. The Democrat Party's most influential power broker has been the subject of unrelenting gossip since the third or fourth month of this coalition government, and what people have whispered about him could easily make jaws drop. He has been everything that is politically bad. A collaborator. A betrayer. Even a traitor.

In normal circumstances, it would have been far less significant. Conflicts between Number One and Number Two are common everywhere. When ex-Democrat leader Chuan Leekpai was prime minister, he was reportedly at odds with powerful Sanan Kachornprasart, then the party's secretary-general, near the end of his term. Snoh Thienthong helped put Banharn Silapa-archa, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Thaksin Shinawatra at the nation's helm and deserted all of them. Now it's Abhisit Vejjajiva's turn to realise the natural political law - that he has to watch his best friends far more closely than his enemies.

But this time, a break-up between Number One and Number Two could have far greater ramifications. The rumours do not just make Abhisit and Suthep two estranged buddies, but also put the latter in the heart of a conspiracy whose ultimate goal is much bigger than removing the prime minister from power. Suthep, it has been alleged, has become an integral part of the "blue movement", the shadowy grouping of ambitious politicians, military officers and senior policemen that has emerged to try to fill the void left by Thaksin's absence and Abhisit's limitations. This group, some claim, is even prepared to join the ousted leader if necessary, leaving Abhisit and a weakened Democrat Party virtually isolated.

All of this is, of course, hearsay. But the rumours have coincided with some real, intriguing developments. Abhisit and Suthep lately haven't seemed able to see eye to eye, and that has become glaringly obvious in their awkward handling of controversial Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan. Patcharawat was believed to be standing in the way of a breakthrough in the case of the attempted assassination of People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul. While Suthep appeared to be protecting the police chief, the prime minister wanted to get him out of the way.

The apparent confrontation between Abhisit and Suthep made front-page headlines for many days but there was no real attempt by the Democrat Party to correct the public impression of a showdown. In fact, the two men's apparent estrangement was largely responsible for new rumours. This time, the tug-of-war over Patcharawat, leading to his virtual suspension, was a political stage show intended to remove his power and overhaul the planned annual police reshuffle.

It is known that Suthep's kingmaker mentality is not always popular among his party's fellows. Old-blood members like former party leaders Chuan and Banyat Banthadthan are reported to have seriously frowned upon the way Suthep handles things. But these claims only go to show how far Suthep may have gone in his king-maker role, because veterans like Chuan and Banyat should be the first to admit that every political party needs someone to do the dirty work.

No matter what he has done or will do, Suthep has become one of the most enigmatic political characters. The "betrayer" scenario is the worst, but such alleged activities as secretly contacting Thaksin are impossible to verify. Those allegations come hand in hand with simpler charges that Suthep has been too preoccupied with political horse-trading to take care of his party mates. The alleged lack of attention has divided them into factions, and disgruntled MPs are turning to the party leader instead. For example, Thepthai Senapong was sent by Suthep to help Abhisit as the premier's personal spokesman. Now, Thepthai has reportedly defected from Suthep's circle and joined Abhisit's circle.

If Abhisit and Suthep are really drifting apart, there is nothing we can do about it. We can only deplore the fact that their conflict has added to the already very unhealthy political atmosphere. And we can only pray that if the "betrayer" scenario is true, Suthep is the one and only traitor, not just the tip of an iceberg.

If Abhisit and Suthep are still on good terms, it's the Democrat Party's duty to find out how damaging the rumours - which their complacency has allowed to fester - actually are. And it will be up to the Democrats whether they should do something about it.

It's true that we can't possibly suppress every rumour created, but where Suthep is concerned, the Democrats are in a position to do so. And not only for the country's sake, but also their own. Some gossip may be so outrageous that it seems irrelevant, but the ruling party should know that at times like this, rumours and rumour-mongering are the best tools available to chip away at public confidence in the government.