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The administration has been quite lucky over the past few weeks, since the birth of the much-adored panda cub. The Democrats should treat it as a political darling, keeping people in a prolonged frenzy over an animal belonging to China.

The spending of Bt60 million on a "snow cavern" for the little panda has been deemed reasonable despite the economic crisis. The amount can be accounted for as a political investment to keep people happy during hard times.

There was an atmosphere of joyful reunion when Kasit met with Deputy Premier Suthep Thaugsuban and Prime Minister Abhisit to talk things over amid speculation that the foreign minister was being pressured to quit his post to save the government from the unrelenting verbal onslaught by the opposition and the red shirts.

Kasit was beaming, thanking the prime minister for understanding his situation. Earlier, he blew his top in New Zealand, challenging unnamed military officers to come forward and clear up whatever doubts they may harbour over the propriety of the minister, who stands among 25 people accused of being terrorists in the seizure of Suvarnabhumi Airport in December last year. He vows to stay on, and will not resign despite the heckling by his adversaries.

Has anybody gained anything from the hullabaloo, which has raised speculation that Kasit was told in quite certain terms that he should quit after the Asean foreign ministers' meeting in Phuket later this week? The opposition and the red shirts are hoping their anti-Kasit move will bear fruit and benefit their fugitive boss in exile, Thaksin Shinawatra. At least, they hope, Kasit's successor will not be tenacious enough in causing more misery to the disgraced billionaire.

It gives some indication that some elements in the Democrats feel that Kasit will continue to be a liability. Like an exposed toe, he will be stomped on by the red shirts and the opposition, giving them an excuse to organise anti-Kasit rallies wherever he goes, or right in front of the Foreign Ministry.

Speculation that some military figures also have a negative attitude towards Kasit is also anybody's guess. In politics, sudden vacancies for Cabinet seats are always desirable, in Kasit's case especially now that his main task of clipping Thaksin's wings by cancelling his passport has been accomplished, along with several shake-ups within the ministry. The perfunctory duty of hosting ministerial meetings could be performed by a replacement from the party.

As yet, there has been no explanation about the extraordinary courage of the police in filing a terrorism charge against Kasit, the most prominent target among the whole lot. This is totally unprecedented. It has never occurred in any administration. It is also unthinkable that the police officer in charge has not consulted his top superior - the national police chief.

More ironically, it would be beyond the wildest imagination that both Suthep and Abhisit had not been duly informed about the severe criminal charge, which carries the death penalty. It means that they approved of the police action, giving the reason that they could not interfere with the process. High marks, indeed.

But interference and righting the wrong are quite different. Non-interference could be interpreted as a hands-off action, being aloof, or even failure to carry out effective personnel management. After six months in office, tainted civil servants, or those accused of abuse of power, have been moved, with honest and capable hands put in their places. So far, the people have seen a style of managing by waiting for solutions to present themselves in this regard. That's why abusive civil servants continue to wield power and arrogance.

What we can expect to see more of is the art of managing politics rather than doing something tangible or result-oriented. A number of projects continue to be the laughing stock of Thaksin's phone-ins. He seems to really enjoy poking fun at those he calls the two fumbling adolescents - Abhisit and Finance Minister Korn - for their directionless management.

Like it or not, Abhisit cannot personally bear the brunt of growing public impatience and criticism. Public opinion polls show that the administration has simply failed in its performance after six months in office. Without a serious shape-up with the team leader rolling up his sleeves and pulling up his socks, public tolerance will thin out if the big spending still does not produce desirable results and an economic recovery.