To some, especially the powerful, many strange events have taken place in Thai politics over the past couple of months, including government MPs breaking ranks with the ruling party. The latest one has been the opposition seeking government-MP votes to launch a censure motion against the PM.

Even stranger is the fact that high-school students have formed an alliance and declared their stance on the current administration. Along with university students nationwide, youths have proven the doubtful wrong; they may be overly preoccupied with consumerism, but they do care about politics, particularly when the leader loses his legitimacy to rule.

So, what is not strange in Thai politics? Here's a list of what has evolved into "the usual":

1. The silent treatment for all questions. Despite repeated calls for clarification of numerous fishy deals and possible conflicts of interest, no clear answers were ever provided, and those involved were able to get away for so long because of clever spin tactics. Politicians have not needed to be accountable for their actions at all.

The question of morality has never been so high on Thailand's checklist as it is now. Five years ago, committing an "honest mistake" was excusable, but today nothing can justify it any more.

2. Silencing of the media. Libel and defamation suits are the best strategy for shutting up critics, not to mention frightening them. Fortunately, they have not worked. Supinya Klangnarong, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy, is a walking testament to that, and she's not alone, having later been joined by media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul and his employees.

Silencing the media is a common path of dictators and others with much to hide. Even if the right to freedom of expression is not explicitly stated in the Constitution, any leader of a democratic country should know well that exchanging ideas is vital to ensuring growth.

3. Politicians not being answerable to their conscience. Instead of serving the public, various politicians today serve only their "master". They can no longer distinguish between personal and national interest. Enslaved by the Constitution, one might argue, but is that so? Everyone is entitled to stand up for what one thinks, and deciding to throw honour down the drain is a matter of choice.

Take the recent instance of allowing a United Arab Emirates company to take over management of six major US ports. Democrats and Republicans alike have voiced caution over the deal. Being a fellow Republican doesn't mean the person cannot criticise President George W Bush. Unfortunately, it is not that way in Thailand.

4. Independent organisations that are not independent. This is the most disappointing aspect of constitutional reform since 1997. Checks and balances have been destroyed, not because laws are not in place, but because there are those who interpret those laws in a certain manner. Again and again, guardians of the law have neglected their duty and betrayed the people's trust in them.

All of this may lead one to think it's time for some constitutional amendments, but do we really need that? Changing the law 10 or even a hundred times cannot solve any of the country's problems, so long as the authorities lack the spirit to work for the good of the country.

The government's invitation to university rectors to help brainstorm on amending the Constitution and its move to "consult" both houses reflect a sense of urgency to do something to quell people power, but these moves have come just a little too late.

Quite a coincidence that today marks the 20th anniversary of the People Power revolution in the Philippines, which toppled the authoritarian regime of President Ferdinand Marcos.

For Thailand, we have been embroiled in what has become "politics as usual" for so long that the line between what is strange and what is not has become totally blurred.

The good news is that the process of setting the standard right once again starts on a grand scale at Sanam Luang tomorrow!

Veenarat Laohapakakul

The Nation