Bangkok Governor and Democrat Party deputy leader Apirak Kosayodhin, left, gestures during a press conference to announce the party’s ‘urgent mission’ for the city following its victory in Sunday’s municipal elections. Also present are Democrat leader Abh

The message from Sunday's Bangkok Council elections is clear: Thai Rak Thai's popularity has plummeted and its prospects in the upcoming general election will hardly improve if party leader Thaksin Shinawatra does not sacrifice himself.

Out of the 57 seats up for grabs on the city council, Thai Rak Thai secured just 18 while the Democrat Party scooped 35.

Four years ago Thai Rak Thai bagged 25 seats while the Democrats won 38.

Whether Thai Rak Thai wants to admit it or not, Thaksin's diminishing glamour was a key factor behind the party's disappointing performance in Sunday's polls.

Millions of people across the country are clearly waiting to hear Thaksin vow not to seek another premiership term, at least until proper amendments to the Constitution are made.

His vow to take another political break has worked wonders to ease political tension.

Thaksin might have managed several times to gloss over his government's alleged interference in the media and independent agencies, but more and more people have apparently started to notice his many flaws, with the tax payment irregularities in the sale of Shin Corp a major contributor to this.

Anti-Thaksin sentiment is intensifying and fear is building that the country is in for a rough ride as long as Thaksin clings to power.

While many people still clearly love Thaksin, many others clearly hate him.

Political pundits agree that any moves Thaksin makes in the next few months will have huge implications for the country.

Rumours are spreading that Thaksin might step aside and let someone else take the premiership if Thai Rak Thai wins the October 15 general election.

If the rumours prove true, Thai Rak Thai candidates in urban areas will stand a better chance of winning the election. But if the rumours are wrong, it is highly likely that a convincing victory will go to the Democrat Party, as happened on Sunday.

It would seem then that Thai Rak Thai's future lies with its founder and leader - Thaksin.

There is no other convincing explanation for Thai Rak Thai's deteriorating performances in Bangkok. The Bt6.68-billion deal to procure fire-fighting equipment from Austria at an excessively overpriced rate might have tarnished some politicians in the Thai Rak Thai fold.

But it lacks the impact to create such damage.

The Democrat Party, meanwhile, should have realised that national political sentiment turned in its favour on Sunday because Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin alone could not have led the party to such an impressive performance.

After all, Apirak has yet to achieve anything major in his past two years as the city governor.

His much-touted smart traffic signs and bus stops have flopped and his Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has yet to come into service.

And although Apirak received plaudits when he went ahead with the plan to extend the Skytrain

route, the extension is still not in operation.

While Thaksin is expected to do something for his party, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva should be aware of his crucial role too.

Instead of waiting to reap benefits from Thai Rak Thai's declining

popularity, Abhisit should prove he

is a worthy choice for the premier's post.

Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation