• 
• 
• 

If the PAD wants to topple the government, then it is evident that the rousing of the crowds has led to nowhere. A much-anticipated uprising remains the elusive goal after six months plagued by a number of bloodshed incidents.

If the government is sincere about forging reconciliation, then it should start acting in a tangible manner to co-exist with the PAD instead of trying to quash its civil disobedience.

It is time for all sides to stop the political melodrama and face the reality of how to make the most of the situation in which the rival camps cannot defeat or make one another disappear.

The entire society is the collateral damage every time the PAD organises a mass rally to heave-ho the government out of office. And Thai citizens are living in unnecessary suspense at every sabre-rattling both by the government and the PAD.

The October 7 blockade of Parliament ended with a violent crackdown and blood being spilled. Although Monday's siege on the legislative seat has been peaceful, it is likely to reinforce the political deadlock.

The PAD cannot bring the government to its knees and its continuing protests are like howling winds falling short of developing into storms. The government, in turn, is at its wits' end on how to pacify the PAD-led crowds.

The government and the PAD both should look to the elections as the contest grounds to fight one another instead of perpetuating the turmoil.

Even though the PAD claims to have no aspirations for political office, it is entitled to endorse electoral candidates to bring about the political changes as deemed necessary. The government can seek a fresh mandate instead of being a lame duck.

A snap election will allow rival camps to redirect their fight in a more constructive manner to vie for votes rather than being mired by animosity.

Should the two opposing sides decide to designate the elections as their new battlefield, a clean break from fractious politics is deemed necessary to pave the way for a free and fair outcome.

A key issue to be done away with is the fate of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra. As a Thai citizen, Thaksin has an inalienable right to pursue his life and justice as per his aspirations. But it is unjustifiable for the PAD and politicians of all stripes to invoke his name to incite the crowds for self-serving gains.

Politics should be about serving the people's aspirations. The turmoil is persisting because all sides have become obsessed with the rise and fall of one individual leader, allowing it to eclipse society.

Politicians, be they in the government or the opposition, should try to inspire and advance the country forward. The bickering about Thaksin's legacy is like trying to bring back the dead. For better or worse, the former prime minister is not in a position to maintain a direct presence on the political scene.

Thaksin is banned from the electoral process. Although he may try to resume his political career, this is not happening any time soon as the expiry of his ban is still four years away. The fuss about Thaksin's leadership is a moot point when the country is in a dire need for leadership to steer through the global economic turmoil.

The government appears to have alluded to the good old days under Thaksin in order to cover up the fact that it had no fresh ideas to overcome the economic and political woes.

The PAD seems to cling to its past success of fighting the autocratic leadership of Thaksin. And it is learning a costly lesson that it is about to commit political suicide if it continues with the same old tactics of rousing the crowds.

Yesterday's turnout for the PAD-led "final battle" was lower than expected. The siege on Parliament achieved nothing and the marches to various agencies, including the temporary seat of government at Don Mueang, appeared lacklustre.

For participatory democracy to flourish, it is imperative for the PAD to advocate issues with immediacy and relevancy. If the PAD refuses to adjust its tactics and advocacy topics, it is risking a sharp turn of sentiment. The people are beginning to see the PAD as troublemaker instead of a champion to clean up politics.