There were several dramatic and unexpected developments - many of them rare and some unprecedented. The year saw massive street protests - at certain periods virtually every week - a general election boycotted by the opposition, His Majesty the King's call for judges to help break the country's political deadlock, the election commissioners being sent to jail, and the first military coup in 15 years.

The military coup of September 19 was the climax of a political tug-of-war that began as early as the 13th day of the year.

On January 13, a group of protesters led by media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul and then senator Pratin Santiprabhob entered the Government House compound with little resistance from the police officers guarding the place.

The "raid" on Government House followed a number of rallies against then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in late 2005 that were organised by Sondhi and his allies. The street rallies drew little interest - not to mention support - from members of the general public.

Sondhi's campaign was viewed as a personal vendetta against Thaksin after his programme was removed from the state-controlled TV Channel 9.

However, the campaign by Sondhi - who was once an associate of billionaire-turned-politician Thaksin - gained momentum in late January when Thaksin confirmed a wildly circulated rumour that members of his family had sold their shares in the telecoms giant Shin Corporation Plc to Singapore's Temasek Holdings.

The share sale was valued at Bt73.2 billion - the largest in Thai history.

A public outrage followed when it became clear that the massive share sale would be tax-free.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - in which Sondhi and his allies participated - was formed in early February to lead a large-scale public campaign against Thaksin. Supporters of the PM from rural areas later gathered at the Chatuchak Park to offer him moral support.

Thaksin finally gave in to the pressure and in late February called a new general election on April 2 - a little over a year from the previous one in February 2005.

The three main opposition parties - Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon - agreed to boycott the election, arguing that it was unlikely it would be free and fair.

The PAD held more large rallies at Sanam Luang and then in Bangkok's prime business areas.

The April elections went on amid controversies and allegations of unfair practice by the Election Commission (EC). The scandals led to cases against five political parties, including the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat - and against the election commissioners.

The three remaining EC members - Vasana Puemlarp, Prinya Nakchudtree and Virachai Naewboonnien - in late July were sentenced by the Criminal Court to four years in prison, with their voting rights stripped for 10 years.

Two days after the April 2 polls, Thaksin gave up his seat to his No 1 deputy, Chidchai Vanasatidya, and announced that he would take a break from politics until a new prime minister was appointed after the polls.

However, Thaksin's move failed to calm down his critics and detractors.

On April 25, His Majesty the King made an historic request before separate groups of Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court judges, asking for their involvement in a bid to ease the country's political crisis.

As a result, the Constitution Court on May 8 nullified April's controversial poll, paving the way for new elections.

In late May, Thaksin made a surprise return to work and with pressure building up towards him and his political party, he later accused an unnamed "charismatic figure" of trying to bring him down via unconstitutional means. The message backfired, with more pressure for Thaksin to explain who he was talking about.

Although new elections were scheduled, uncertainties remained in politics amid growing rumours of a military coup. Top generals repeatedly rejected the speculation about a putsch.

However, the takeover eventually occurred in the night of Sept 19.

Despite Thaksin's brief attempt to thwart the coup, the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR), which was led by Army commander-in-chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, managed to take control without armed resistance.

The coup makers cited four reasons: rampant corruption, severe social division, intervention into independent organisations, and acts of lese majeste.

The coup makers appointed retired General Surayud Chulanont as new prime minister and promised a new election within a year.

Three months after the coup, progress has been made in the corruption cases involving members of the past Cabinet and in the drafting of a new constitution.

However, there is still opposition against the government and the coup makers from pro-democracy activists and Thaksin's supporters. Arson attacks on several schools in the North and Northeast have been blamed on a subversive movement.

PM Surayud has become the major target in a smear campaign, facing allegations of irregularities involving his land and home in a Nakhon Ratchasima forest.

With all the extraordinary political developments in the past year, 2007 will be another year to watch.

Vital issues at stake are how the interim government will fare amid growing pressure from all sides, how the high-profile corruption cases will turn out, whether the country's two largest political parties will be dissolved, and what the new constitution will look like.

Kittipong Thavevong

The Nation