Abhisit riding playing for time over charter changes

This issue has exposed the true nature of all parties concerned. At the beginning, it was the opposition that sought an amendment. The government, chiefly the Democrats, procrastinated on the issue, hoping public pressure groups and activists would oppose the move.

 Coalition partners also insisted on amending the Charter. They wanted to do away with the clauses restricting their activities, barring them from messing around with the bureaucrats, and furthering their self-serving interests.

 The Democrats then played it both ways. They gingerly agreed with the proposed amendments, but wanted it handled by a drafting or working committee of some sort. The other parties said no, insisting it would be a waste of time. After yielding to this argument, the Democrats insisted on a referendum.

 Watching this game of cat and mouse from Dubai, Thaksin Shinawatra is able to see the big picture. He sees that the Democrats just want to bide their time, persistently saying that it will take nine months to complete the amendments - which do not benefit the public one bit, but only politicians with soiled hands.

 Thaksin instructed, or rather commanded, his cronies in Bangkok that the idea on the amendments should be scrapped, together with the present Constitution. It must be abrogated, and replaced by the one torn up by the coup-makers three years ago. That charter gave politicians almost a free hand to usurp power through House rituals, without probity and accountability.

 Thaksin's dictum almost split the Pheu Thai Party. Arguments ensued and the side seeking to please Thaksin stands to prevail, leaving the efforts to amend the Charter in tatters. This confirms again that what Thaksin wants, Thaksin gets, no matter how ridiculous it seems to be.

 The Democrats play along quite nicely. "You fellows just get your act together on what you really want and let us know; we aim to please." Alas! What Thaksin wants is to get everybody back to square one. The Democrats are even more pleased, to say the least. This issue can drag on for months. By that time, more stumbling blocks will be in place for Thaksin's cronies to overcome.

 Why Thaksin wants the constitution he wants is because there is little chance of him ever setting foot in his own country as long as the Democrats continue to rule with a firm grip (under the false impression that Abhisit is a wimp). Who would believe that the premier has survived nine months in office?

 Thaksin's desperation and frustration were evident when he appeared live on a video link on Sunday to please his crowd surrounding the Democracy Monument, demanding the reinstatement of the abrogated Constitution. Again, he jeered Abhisit and blamed the system for forcing him to seek refuge in Dubai.

 He knows that time is not on his side. The longer Abhisit remains in power, the more he is likely to gain strength and deal with a firm hand with the ever-demanding coalition partners, who earlier regarded him as a political apprentice suddenly given the national leadership in tough times.

 The way Thaksin ranted, it was obvious he is enduring a self-demeaning life in solitude. His deteriorating health, as his face shows, must be a major concern. He has even less time to regain all his losses, in whatever terms of tangible or intangible assets.

 From now on, the public can expect more action from the red shirts, whose leaders have declared with much exaggeration that they intend to hold a gigantic rally with one million people, to reach their goal, which includes the ouster of the Abhisit government, a new Constitution, and a general election to pave the way for Thaksin's return with total amnesty.

 General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh may gather a band of brothers comprising retired generals and police officers who would devote themselves to helping the fugitive regain lost status and treasure currently sequestered by the government.

  Would there be a terror campaign? Nobody can say for sure. A bomb was found in front of the National Anti-Corruption Commission on Sunday - not an idle threat. Days before, another bomb was found outside the compound of ASTV. They resembled the types found at the Constitution Court and other official places.

 Amidst these unsettled times, Abhisit will continue to move ahead with more finely tuned tactics. He expects to add another feather to his cap at the Asean summit in Hua Hin later this month. Whether he will be able to turn the feathers into halos depends on his moves to contain his adversaries who work for Thaksin's money.