The deep divide between caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak could be seen clearly yesterday when the PM reacted to news reports that Somkid plans to end his political career after the next election.

"Whether Somkid is in my next government or not is irrelevant to confidence in my government among business leaders," Thaksin said. "Nowadays, I am the main person who works. Everybody else in my cabinet is just my helper."

By neither admitting nor denying the reports of Somkid's imminent departure, Thaksin showed they had some foundation.

If it's true, then the question is: Why has the man who was once seen as Thaksin's possible successor made what is possibly the hardest decision of his life - to end his political career?

The answer may lie in the fact that the relationship between the two has turned sour because of Thaksin's habit of working as a "one man show".

During Thaksin's second term, Somkid often complained to a close aide that he was unable to perform his job. Somkid accepted responsibility for solving economic problems, but inevitably this needed cooperation from other ministers. But instead of cooperating, they waited for Thaksin's orders and ignored Somkid's assignments.

Before Thaksin dissolved the House in February he began to take over all the work of the economics ministers. That was the point at which Somkid, who was once a member of Thaksin's inner circle, decided to gradually distance himself from the prime minister.

The rift intensified when Somkid was rated the most likely successor to Thaksin when the latter was under intense pressure from street protesters to step down. Somkid received widespread public and business support as a possible replacement prime minister.

Thaksin was reportedly enraged. His conviction that he is second to none left him incapable of accepting that Somkid might be a popular replacement.

The premier was also disappointed with Somkid's alleged unwillingness to help him to counter pressure from the People's Alliance for Democracy, led by media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul. Sondhi is a close associate of Somkid.

There is another, deeper reason why Somkid is the last person Thaksin wants to replace him. Thaksin knows that Somkid would never allow him to pull the strings from behind the scenes.

Perhaps the worst aspect of the story is that Thaksin regards Somkid as a thorn in his side. Thaksin's aides pumped up the PM's annoyance by supporting reports that Somkid was after the top job.

Somkid reportedly told Thaksin many times he had no ambition to become prime minister or to step into the leader's shoes. But Somkid was left feeling discouraged and eventually developed a desire to quit politics.

However, it seems that the further he distanced himself from politics, the louder were the calls for him to take the premiership.

Six core members of the Thai Rak Thai Party - Somkid, Labour Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, PM's Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva, Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat, Deputy Commerce Minister Preecha Laohapongchana and Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang - met at the Paesano restaurant in downtown Bangkok recently to discuss politics over dinner.

They reportedly discussed defecting or staging a party coup, and it seems they found a way to force Thaksin to take a break. But things apparently haven't happened as planned, because Thaksin is still tight-lipped about his political future.

First Suranand, then Pinij, and according to the latter, also Somkid, plan to say goodbye to politics after the election.

While there is still no confirmation or denial from Somkid himself about his future, one thing seems certain: the relationship between Thaksin and Somkid has come to an end. Even if Thaksin is unable to return to the premiership after the next election, it also seems certain that Somkid will never become prime minister under the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation