Roles reversed this time around

But the drama wasn't exact?ly the same as when Somchai Wongsawat's administration outlined its policies to the Parliament in October.

Now, with the shift in power, the protests have also changed. The "red shirts" who opposed the 2006 coup but supported the past two governments - also known as the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD), who support former PM Thaksin Shinawatra (who was ousted in that coup) - are now anti-government.

The protest reminded people of protests by their rivals, the anti-Thaksin "yellow shirts" or People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who staged a blockade at Government House for three months and shut down Suvarnabhumi Airport for a week last month.

The red shirts yesterday demanded Prime Minister Abhisit to dissolve the House and call a new election. In fact, it was a tit-for-tat tactic.

Natthawut Saikua, a leader of the DAAD, urged the PM and his Cabinet members to walk past the protesters in front of the Parliament.

Natthawut reminded Abhisit that when the PAD besieged the building on October 7 to try to stop Somchai's government deliver?ing its policy statement, the then opposition leader willing?ly greeted the PAD protesters before leaving the building safe?ly.

"We stage the rally peaceful?ly without arms and promise not to create any violence. When the PM can shake hands with the yellow-shirted protesters why can't he do the same with red-shirted protesters?" he said.

Meanwhile, the Democrat Party government has set up a war room at its headquarters to discuss how to cope with the protest. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban called police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan and Suchart Muankaew, the metro?politan police commissioner, to discuss the situation.

A source said they thought the number of protesters would shrink amid hot temperature and sunlight. Moreover, with the New Year coming protest?ers may prefer to go home and celebrate their holidays so the protest could end soon.

The Democrats desperately want to announce their policies as scheduled as a sort of New Year "gift" for the people. Under the 2007 constitution, the new government, which was sworn in last week, cannot formally start work until its policies have been announced in parliament. The new government must by law present its core policies to parliament by January 5.

After having to postpone the schedule three times yesterday, the Democrat-led government finally said it would announce them today at 9.30am.

However, it there is obvious?ly no guarantee that Abhisit will make his maiden policy speech.