His nationwide TV address following Parliament's dissolution on Friday was too polarising, inflammatory and inimical. I would even consider it as a form of hate speech. It showed his utter lack of understanding or appreciation of democratic processes and practices.

No wonder, for he continues to dwell in his increasingly isolated world of self-indulgence, ignoring the popular sentiment mounting against him. Using a textbook propaganda technique in his speech, Thaksin branded those opposed him "rogue elements" that "operate outside the parliamentary framework".

He also declared that they were trying to oust him. Citing intelligence sources, he said that ill-intentioned elements might incite violence at massive rallies.

As the huge rally at Sanam Luang showed,  congregation and freedom of expression are important features of democracy. The outpouring of people was indicative of the strength of public opinion which has not been covered by major polls. They want embattled Thaksin to resign, knowing full well that a new election will not solve the long-term problems or answer the vexing questions about the Shinawatra family's fortune and corruption-related scandals.

Indeed it is not wrong to say that the atmosphere yesterday represented a kind of rough justice for Thaksin. Those who showed up used to be strong Thaksin supporters who believed in his brand of economic nationalism, but they feel they have been betrayed by the tax-free Bt73.3-billion Shin Corp-Temasek Holdings mega-sale.

They wanted to show their disapproval by attending the rally. Alas, Thaksin still does not get it. 

Unbelievably, he is still in denial as he  continues to reiterate his commitment to democratic values as he calls for a snap election on April 2 in order to "return the power to the people". To hell, he implied, with all those demonstrations of the past five months. He should have heeded what Mahatma Gandhi famously said long ago: "Even the most powerful cannot rule without the cooperation of the rule."

In more ways than one, the House's dissolution also quelled months of speculations about coups, counter-coups, assassination plots and palace interventions (made famous by Thaksin's comment that he would step down if the King whispered in his ear). What we are seeing here is the contest for legitimacy between the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and Thaksin.

Of course, Thaksin is no longer the formidable leader he once was. Just over a year into his second term, he has already seriously undermined himself through a series of lies, seeming acts of corruption and not-so-cosy relations with the Privy Council.

Unfortunately, his most remarkable achievement has been the way he has changed Thai society's perception of truth. He has away scotch-free in so many dubious undertakings. His position at present is a far cry from his heyday of power and public confidence in 2001.

In the past six years he has single-handedly butchered every aspect of Thailand's democratic progress and process, especially within the parliamentary system. As the first Thai leader controlling an absolute majority in the House, he has made himself - and he's proud of it too! - the only big boss or chao poh in Thai politics.

He has set his own ground rules to attain his objectives. By winning 19 million votes, he contends, he has secured a mandate and is entitled to do anything he wants with Thailand. Grounded in a culture of relativism and deception, he has inculcated the notion that moral authority does not count and ethnical issues are meaningless. Remember those famous words he once uttered: "Democracy is a means not an end."

And he has fixed an immutable dichotomy, dicing the Thai public into Thaksin supporters - the faceless voters - and his enemies. Others do not matter. It is a clever ploy seeing as it has already created the impression that the demonstrators are nuisances wanting to pressure him to quit because they are thuggish and refuse to play by the rules. Worse, some of them are against him due to personal grudges.

He has even faulted Chamlong Srimuang for joining the PAD. Thaksin accused his former mentor of trying to get even with him because of past disagreements over financial contributions.

Thaksin hopes that his Thai Rak Thai Party will win the snap polls with its new populist policies. In the past weeks he has announced new handout schemes for students and the middle class who were not covered by existing populist policies.

But somehow this time around the public is no longer gullible, as demonstrated by growing calls for his resignation. They are more sceptical of Thaksin's policies and motives. As Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said last week, the Thai people no longer trust Thaksin and view everything he does with a suspicious mind. In a democracy, Abhisit said, one has to respect popular sentiment, which is the barometer of leadership legitimacy.

For the sake of the common good, we have a great responsibility to ensure that Thaksin and his cronies do not come back into our political lives.

Kavi Chongkittavorn