Didn't he promise to choose the best brains for what he claimed would be Thailand's "best government"?

But wait. After 18 months of leading the country through its most challenging period, Thaksin confessed that even the people he once trumpeted as the cream of the crop in his Cabinet are nothing more than hangers-on. Short of dismissing these people as being dispensable, the prime minister proclaimed himself the "master architect" and said his Cabinet members are just "helping hands" taking his orders.

Obviously among those he classified as helpers is caretaker Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak. One cannot help wondering if Thaksin has forgotten all about the aggrandising words he once showered on his faithful "economic tsar", a career marketing man once seen by many as a potential successor to the premier.  Thaksin was prompted to lay bare his attitude toward Cabinet members by reports that Somkid was considering taking a political break after the next election. Though there have been rumours for some time that Somkid is trying to distance himself from the beleaguered prime minister, it was Pinij Charusombat who went on record with his colleague's reported plans last week. Pinij claimed Somkid would run in the election under the Thai Rak Thai banner but would not take up any political position.

Somkid and Pinij are among a group of Cabinet members who are known to be disenchanted with what Thaksin's staunch supporters see as his political infallibility. For the time being they remain faithful Thai Rak Thai members but are increasingly viewing Thaksin as a "damaged product". This is not to say that they are being guided by their political consciences, but rather that they have apparently awakened to the reality that their once insurmountable leader has become a liability to the party.

A recent tryst of six of these politicians at an Italian restaurant became a highlight of these recent political manoeuvres. Among the six was Suranand Vejjajiva, the minister of the PM's Office and once one of Thaksin's most trusted aides. This certainly wasn't lost on Thaksin. Their reported pact to quit the Cabinet en masse when the right time came or when there was a "green light" unravelled when the Royal Decree which set October 15 as the date for the next election was announced.

What these politicians have in common is their frustration with Thaksin's style of management which borders on being dictatorial and the persistent incidents of conflicts of interest that have been occurring involving his family members and close associates. But the tipping point was the escalating public sentiment against the prime minister.

These renegades are reportedly quietly rallying around Somkid who is generally recognised as the most prominent member of the Thaksin Cabinet. But it isn't clear why Pinij decided to spill the beans about Somkid at this juncture and thus risk invoking Thaksin's ire.

To most political observers, Thaksin's reaction didn't come as a surprise. It wasn't so much the prospect of Somkid forgoing an active political role after the next election as his potential to pose a challenge to his leadership that rattles the prime minister.

As talk of a post-Thaksin era begins to be heard more frequently, Somkid increasingly stands out as the most acceptable name in Thai Rak Thai in the event Thaksin's political career is cut short. But the problem is that Thaksin doesn't seem to have any intention of calling it quits despite all the mounting pressure for him to take a political break - much less anointing a successor.

And it was certainly no coincidence that some senior Thai Rak Thai figures came out last week to squash speculation that Thaksin would make way for a successor after the October election. They reaffirmed that Thaksin will return as prime minister again if the party is given a mandate by voters.

It's understandable why Somkid has chosen to be tight-lipped about his political future. Though he has made no secret of his political ambitions and is quite aware of the popular support he has in the business community and among certain quarters in the Thai Rak Thai Party, Somkid finds it wiser for the time being not to make himself too politically conspicuous.

As a political leader who wants nothing short of absolute control and unquestioning subservience from his subordinates, Thaksin certainly cannot stand the idea that, after all, he himself is dispensable. Judging from his remarks and posturing, Thaksin is unlikely to give up without putting up a fight. He is obviously banking on the election results to buttress his claim to power.

Making way for a successor is without question the least palatable choice for Thaksin - especially if he or she has the potential to outdo him in terms of public acceptance.

But it's a choice that may become inevitable considering the growing opposition to his leadership that will make it impossible for him to govern even if the Thai Rak Thai Party wins the next election.

And when that time finally comes, Thaksin may have to turn to one of his "helpers" for a political lifeline. The question is whether Thaksin will still be in a position to make the choice himself or have to accept whatever choice is imposed upon him.

 Thepchai Yong