The war has somewhat blended their identities and many of the bewildered Thais looking on are now unable to tell them apart. At stake is not only political power in what was once known as the Land of Smiles, but also the right for one to consume the other, for good.

One is known as "Democracy", and the other "Corruption", but exactly which of these is the angel and which is the demon depends upon an individual interpretation of the following exchange, which is echoing all through Earth, Heaven and Hell:

Corruption: This is your last chance. Surrender or die.

Democracy: Over my dead body, you pathetic disease. I have flushed you down before and I'll do it again.

Corruption: This time it's different. I have learned and evolved, don't you see? I have fed off your very strength and essence. A lot of the earthlings down there even think I am you.

Democracy: You are nothing but a looter.

Corruption: That's what I like about you, naive boy. You're too idealistic to look at history's conspicuous way of honouring me. Steal a necklace and they'll call you a thief. Rob a ship and you're a pirate. But what if you raid a thousand ships or plunder a nation? You're an emperor, my friend.

Democracy: Oh yeah? You're about to say that evading Bt10,000 worth of taxes is fraud but pulling off a Bt30 billion stunt is...

Corruption: Magic. Exactly.

Democracy: I'm going to put an end to this infamy.

Corruption: How? By sacrificing your very soul? Look how many people endorse me. Read foreign editorials. More and more are coming to my side. You don't have a chance. Killing me is killing yourself, and I'll resurrect and become even more powerful.

Democracy: You're a freak - that's all. Strong and formidable, yes, but a freak all the same.

Corruption: Ha ha, look who's talking. How many Thais support you? What did The Economist call the campaign to eliminate me? Who's the weirdo now?

Democracy: I'm gonna kill you and see you burn in hell.

Corruption: Good. You are very angry now. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to conditions that will allow me to reign supreme. I sense much anger in you.

Democracy: Don't "Star Wars" me you shameless scum. And don't try to drag me down to your level.

Corruption: You're already halfway there. Funny, isn't it? You are becoming me and I'm becoming you.

Democracy: What a sorry coward you are. Why can't this be a fair fight? Why? Why all of these attempts at creating identity confusion?

Corruption: Are you a real fool or what? The best way to defeat your enemy is to draw from his strength. People tolerate me in your form. I can cheat, lie or even kill if I do it neatly enough. I'm feeding off your perceived merits. And the more people tolerate me, the stronger I become. You give me the licence to do just about anything.

Democracy: You can never imitate my biggest merit.

Corruption: Oh you mean a system of checks and balances?

I have taken care of that. Little by little people won't think it's that necessary. Little by little, people will accept its weak existence or non-presence as a fact of life, as long as I win elections.

Democracy: You have demonised free media, too. Very smart.

Corruption: You're getting there, dear boy. And you know what, if tanks roll again and place the country under martial law, people won't blame me. They'll blame you. Come and join me, dreamer. You stand no chance.

Democracy: I'd rather die than become your bloody nominee.

Corruption: It's a waste of time then. Just don't say later that I didn't warn you. You've lost your own weapons to kill me with. You'll need help of the forces you have despised before.

Democracy: Maybe I will pretend I don't care, for a change. You are getting scared, aren't you?

Corruption: Don't make me laugh. I'm something that evolves, adapts and mutates well.  Mr Darwin would be very proud of me.

Democracy: You think you're the only one that can adapt, huh? What do you call the phenomenon down there? Just don't cry foul later. Oh, I thought you already did.

Corruption: Shut up. Now show me what else you've got. You're even selling your soul.

Democracy: Sometimes it takes one to kill one. Just stop your cry baby act and LET'S FIGHT!!

And the Earth, Heaven and Hell hold their breath...

Tulsathit Taptim