The rule of law has been applied to the PPP - it has been disbanded through the legal system.

This decision shows that we do have the legal, peaceful means through which politicians can be punished. This makes the PAD's airport seizures even more ridiculous, unnecessary and unjustifiable. It should never have happened, and it did nothing good at all.

The rule of law must be applied to all parties alike, be they Thaksin, PPP, red shirts or the PAD. For the PAD, its leaders must be held legally responsible for the damage their actions have inflicted on the people and the country.

If the PAD leaders are allowed to go free after what they have done, Thailand is at great risk to witness similar social movement that is illegal and costly in the future. The PAD's means of protesting cannot be allowed to set an example for future protests.

The Thai society also needs a new social movement to provide checks to the government. This new social movement shall adhere to the rule of law when protesting.

It shall criticize the government constructively based on evidence and reasons. It shall respect the rights of fellow citizens and stick to the democratic principles. It shall never seize airports or threaten to cut off utilities or close down train stations. It shall use the legal means to fight government ills. It shall not define its goal as removing a government but rather making the government more effective and responsive in solving people's problems.

We need this new social movement to replace the PAD. The PAD leaders clearly do not understand democracy and are completely disrespectful of others who disagree with the PAD. This new social movement is possible since there are many people in the society who are neither pro-government nor PAD but want to participate politically.

If the PAD gathers again it will only be disastrous for the country. We are in need of a truly democratic social movement (or more than one such movements) if our democratic politics is to progress.