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Groups of half-crazed paid goons, some of them intoxicated, attacked people who rallied to protest the government's move to amend the Constitution.

Where did this occur? Was it Darfur, Rwanda, or some other underdeveloped country in the Third World? No. The incident occurred in the capital of the Land of Smiles, where political conflict is running high with no immediate end in sight.

Thailand is a fairly civilised country, and the rule of law is supposed to be fairly reliable, with law-enforcement officers capable of distinguishing the good guys from the bad. It was not so this time. Hundreds of police officers, including anti-riot units, stood by, quite indifferent to the actions of paid hecklers and goons who abused and threw all sorts of objects at those taking part in an anti-government rally organised by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

The police on duty, together with their senior officers, did not make any attempt to enforce law and order for reasons best known to themselves.

They might have wanted to avoid being caught in the middle of the exchange of projectiles, which included rocks and bottles among other items, while the two sides also engaged in close combat using sticks and iron bars.

It was an utterly lawless situation that arose from the march for democracy, an exercise protected by the Constitution, which government MPs are determined to abolish to help their patrons and bosses get off the legal hook.

Some 20 people suffered injuries, both serious and minor, on Sunday night. Clashes flared up several times and at different locations without serious police intervention.

It was almost comical when, with the street battle raging with growing intensity, police fired a canister of tear gas at anti-government protesters, claiming that the paid attackers were outnumbered.

The officers' obvious neglect of duty in failing to prevent violence was inexplicable. Over a year ago, the police were attacked by a paid political mob themselves. They chose to play the role of benevolent patron this time.

Those taking part in the anti-government rally seemed last night like they would be bracing for another possible street battle. Both sides knew they had to be better prepared. The role of the police will be watched.

Samak and fellow Cabinet members might have felt relieved they were able to survive the political pressure for another day. They must have commended the police on duty for looking the other way when the goons attacked the protesters.

Thailand might have to relive the bloody October, 1976 period when government forces killed students at Thammasat University. At that time, Samak was also riding on a political high.

If political trouble blows up again, this time with Samak holding the top job, it would be the second time he has been witness to political conflict that threatens to split the country due to factional rivalries and power plays.

Samak and his Cabinet were supposed to maintain law and order, while respecting the Constitution, which gives people the right to peaceful assembly without weapons. They failed to live up to this, instead viewing street protesters as enemies trying to unseat them from their Cabinet posts.

Are they feeling assured that the protesters have no way of causing a serious threat to their position and they can thus unleash police to do whatever is possible to end the street protests, the sooner the better?

A quick arrest of the five leaders of the anti-government gathering was a tempting idea to prevent a prolonged rally, which could go on for days, if not weeks, if the number of protesters grows in line with the degree of discontent towards the Samak administration.   

By this time, the government's overall failure in the performance of its duties amid serious political, economic and social problems should be enough to convince Samak and his teammembers they are no longer fit to rule. Staying longer will only escalate the situation into a crisis with the public's anger running high.

By ignoring their duty to protect the rights of the protesters, or even the simple duty of keeping law and order, and instead allowing the vicious attacks by paid thugs, the government has given further reason as to why it does not deserve another day in office.

The legacy of Samak's rule will be difficult for his successors to match. His term has marked the first time that Thais have had to queue up to buy rice, in a country which has been exporting the crop to feed the world.

What's more, the current Cabinet has the largest number of members with criminal cases pending against them, with Samak leading the list. Nobody seems to have a sense of shame. Oh yes, his team will eventually go. The question is how soon it will be - in days or weeks?