Without a tough response and counter-measures, the two ruling institutions continue to act like wimps and sitting ducks for pot-shots from political opponents who become more and more emboldened by their success in causing chaos.

Again, the CNS and Surayud government still show reluctance to act swiftly and decisively in dealing with rival forces that are unmistakably loyal to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who still wants to reclaim the power to rule by whatever means his massive wealth can make possible.

By letting their power be atrophied through disuse and lack of resolve, people are increasingly frustrated by the amateurish manner of the generals who staged the coup on September 19, and wondering when their fumbling will lead to their own downfall.

The police force, which has had no active role in keeping law and order, maintaining security and preventing violent incidents, is seen as ineffective and uncooperative with the government. The national police chief, who is also a CNS member, hardly shows any interest.

That's why the police force has been regarded as a corrosive factor in the credibility of the CNS and the Surayud government. The police chief professed to be unperturbed by the bomb blasts during the New Year celebrations, prompting a widespread outcry for his removal.

The CNS and the government wavered and chickened out at the last minute several weeks ago when there was an intent voiced to replace the chief with somebody with competence and the desire to work for the government. This instead of molly-coddling with Thaksin and his circle of powerful cronies.

The repeated lack of decisive action in dealing with subversive elements keeps the public exasperated, with a growing sense of helplessness. These elements have put the lives of people at risk from possible violence.

The generals and the government are aware of the public dismay at their poor performance, as shown by various opinion polls. They are troubled by the need to get the police force to work, which at least requires the removal of the police chief and the restructuring of the top hierarchy.

During this coming week, the CNS and the prime minister will face strong pressure to get rid of the police chief, not only to reinvigorate the entire law enforcement establishment, but also for their own security. With someone more willing to take police action, the government could regain some public trust.

If this issue remains unresolved, they have to come up with an explanation as to why the chief deserves a day more in office. Following that, both the CNS and the government must also justify their continuing presence as the governing institutions.

There have been sarcastic remarks that the police force remains in "neutral gear", meaning that they are not working or tending to their law-enforcement duties. If this problem continues, not only will there be no effective means to deal with subversive elements, there will also be more risk for the public.

More importantly, the government will not have the manpower and resources to investigate and build up evidence to arrest the culprits responsible for the bombs - though it is widely known within inside circles who those criminals are and also their level of influence.

The reluctance to exercise power with decisiveness will determine the longevity of their term in power, while public patience is also running thin. Soon the sense of helplessness will turn towards hopelessness and eventually widespread anger.

By now they should be more than aware of their plunging popularity, which was so high immediately after the coup.

There will soon be a question asked. What do the CNS and the Surayud government intend to achieve if they do not even have the guts to remove the police chief? His sloppy performance is a destabilising factor that is causing the erosion of public confidence and faith in them.

If they are afraid to deal with just one man, how will they cope with well-financed sinister elements that intend to cause political trouble and go as far as killing innocent people to reclaim power?

What's more, the public surely does not expect coup-makers to be chicken-hearted and behave like wimps.

Sopon Onkgara