There have been provocative words from the Thaksinites over the past days, as former Thai Rak Thai MPs from the northeast threaten that their supporters will descend on Bangkok. The Nation repeats the claim that perhaps 10 million people could mobilise to defend Thaksin.

As the anti-Thaksin forces start more loudly declaring their intention to call mass protests as early as this Friday, the situation has the potential to deteriorate quickly. Protests, counter-protests, “human shields” and the heavy-weight factions all struggling to capture the high ground – at any cost. We now have all of the basic ingredients for turbulent times on the streets of the capital.