This follows his repeated insistence that he would not dissolve the House or resign to accommodate the demands of a broad-based, pro-democracy movement made up of many different groups and representing people from all walks of life.

The House dissolution, which is regarded as a tricky strategy to buy more time, is expected to fire up the determination of the movement seeking to evict him from office. He will be the target of severe verbal attacks during the rally scheduled for this afternoon at Sanam Luang.

The movement foresaw that Thaksin would opt for this game plan in order to take some of the fizz out of the rally. Leaders issued a statement saying that only Thaksin's resignation was acceptable, and denouncing his decision to dissolve the House as a devious trick to gain the upper hand in the polls.

"I will not dissolve the House, for it would be a betrayal of those 19 million people who voted for me." It proves again that Thaksin cannot be seriously taken as a man of his word. The boast was eventually revealed as just another falsehood.

Thaksin did not look perturbed in the least by the public's perception that he can never be expected to be sincere and honest in his statements. The House dissolution was clearly a betrayal of the public in order to allow him to save his own neck.

Appearing on TV and radio programmes to explain the decision, he was the same old Thaksin who blamed everyone but himself for the political troubles he and his family had endured all these months due to allegations of big-time corruption and other misdeeds.

It is truly unfortunate that Thailand must bear with a national leader who frequently goes back on his word without blinking an eye. He proves that people stand ready to believe bigger and bolder lies as long as these falsehoods are presented with audacity and shamelessness.

During the past two months, Thaksin has used this kind of erratic behaviour to survive growing political adversity and threats to his premiership due to his corroding credibility and public image. The sale of Shin Corp stocks, owned by his family members, has enabled the public to see his true colours and dispel all illusions.

Thaksin has become a politician with a businessman's instinct for survival. As part of the effort, he resorted to selling his business empire together with concession rights for TV broadcasting, a mobile phone network and four satellites to a Singapore government-owned fund.

The promise to come clean and tell us all about the Shin Corp deal during a special joint session of Parliament proposed for next week served as a temporary diversion. It will never happen now that the House was dissolved.

The Shin Corp deal enabled the people to comprehend the true definition and reality of how a man can betray his motherland.

At least Thaksin must feel his self-inflicted predicament to the degree that his friends have become his enemies. The last to do so was a mentor and former patron, Maj-General Chamlong Srimuang, who has now joined the movement to oust him.

The passionate plea for public understanding on Friday night and yesterday morning was aimed at rural grassroots voters who can expect a flood of cash from now until the election. In the same pitch he sought sympathy and support, fingering the pro-democracy movement as the main cause for all of his misfortunes.

Once behind a microphone, Thaksin has always been excellent with his snake-oil salesman's talent for the soft sale. The spin, although superb, was only effective in inspiring more public wrath against him.

Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party will likely win the general election, but not by as big a margin as last time, if it takes place at all. From now on, the anti-Thaksin movements will pile more pressure on him to leave politics, and the country, for good.

It depends on how long the movement can keep up the momentum and fan the fire of public opposition to Thaksin, especially in the provinces.

Whether he wins or loses, Thaksin appears ruined as far as his credibility and public image are concerned after going back on his word a countless number of times. He will never be regarded as a national leader who can be trusted for his integrity and honesty after the Shin Corp deal and previous corruption scandals.

With a heated election campaign in the offing, people can expect more sugar-coated lies from power-hungry, self-serving politicians who prey on naive and gullible voters, as they fight for spots in the House and opportunities to enrich themselves from ill-gotten gains and taxpayers' money.

Sopon Onkgara