Surayud vowing to stay put is good news to some and bad news to others. Bad news to Surayud himself is the fact that even those who see his renewed, albeit questionable, commitment as good news rarely think so out of personal admiration or faith in his capability. All Thais are politically tired and exasperated, and even Surayud's character seems to go against the current circumstances. Those who felt relieved to learn he was not quitting probably only felt that way because they couldn't take any more of it.

It's not about Surayud staying or resigning. It's about the need to get a quick return to democracy. Thaksin Shinawatra prompted calls for Thai democracy to get an immediate fix but ironically, after six months, the generals who overthrew him have generated the impression that we simply have no time for an overhaul. Rumblings about corruption among the men in uniform have started, rifts among them have been reported, and rival political groups, all capable of stirring up violence in a matter of days, have been increasingly restless. Neutral Thais feel like they are sitting on a knife's edge day in and day out.

The Surayud government has many flaws, which add to its unfortunate credibility problem as far as foreigners and investors are concerned. Moreover, it is trapped between extreme pro- and anti-Thaksin camps, both of which have been piling enormous pressure on the prime minister. But the man has done two things right. First, he has resisted the Council for National Security's attempts to impose a state of emergency to deal with "remnants of the old power". Second, Surayud has been very steadfast on the promised timeframe for the return to democracy. That timeframe, which calls for a general election in December, must not be extended, no matter what some influential figures are trying to make us believe. Yes, democracy was in a very poor state during the Thaksin era, especially its last months, but our new problem is that the vacuum is generating new threats. The "old clique" obviously isn't letting go.

Continued power plays between the powers-that-be and those who lost power could erupt into something that would lead to further suspension of democracy. The battle has spilled over into many places. The head of the Privy Council has faced harsh public accusations. Websites have had to be blocked because of uploaded content offending Thais' reverence of the monarchy. The turmoil tells us that prolonging the election date will be a very bad, if not unpatriotic, idea. Some of those instrumental in the downfall of the Thaksin regime insist that holding an election when the ousted prime minister's influence has not yet been uprooted is dangerous, but ironically this claim makes them sound more dangerous, especially given the growing suspicion that the powers-that-be might simply try to hold on to the status quo. Postponing the election will inadvertently have a consequence that those in power dread: It will help Thaksin look good.

His image has improved somewhat already, at least in the eyes of the foreign community, because the coup's proclaimed motive of giving Thailand genuine democracy has not produced satisfactory results. Many are saying they'd rather have a less than perfect Constitution and go ahead with an election, come what may. That is because they think the present fractious vacuum, with underground elements lurking menacingly, could lead to something much worse than the old-style post-election turmoil.

Can the promised election dates for December be honoured? Among those in power, only Surayud has given us an unequivocal and sincere "yes". This alone should justify giving him a break. Moreover, of all the men in control right now, he is again the only one to show willingness to let go.