Prime Minister Samak quickly rebutted a suggestion that a constitutional amendment was not in his mind. Of course, why should Samak, currently the sole legitimate leader, bother to call for a quick closing chapter to his stage show? It should be his last step to leave a legacy for the last page of his political career. 

Thaksin's followers and lackeys have started to make their moves to appease their real boss who is back in town, with the eventual aim of making the Thai people believe that only Thaksin can fix things including economic woes and rifts between factions within the People Power Party (PPP) government. 

Meanwhile, they have helped clear up some landmines for Thaksin's eventual safe return by sacking and shaking up coup-appointed/promoted officials and investigators. 

Now the Attorney-General's Office has changed its stance by declaring it is not going to take up any cases against Thaksin brought to it by the Assets Examination Committee. If the AEC wants to bring corruption charges against Thaksin, it will have to do so by itself. 

The AEC has been concluding a dozen cases relating to abuse of power and corruption during the Thaksin administration. Its legal status will expire by July. 

This not to mention Thaksin-favoured reshuffles at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) including the former investigator into the Ratchadaphisek land purchase Judge Sunai Manomai-udom and 30 of his teammates. 

Despite a more conducive judicial scenario for the former prime minister, there seems to be impatience in the Thaksin's camp and this is reflected in the calls for a constitutional amendment. 

In their earlier plan, the amendment to the coup-sponsored constitution would be finished within a year at least. Now they might want to shift their timetable, as nominee Samak appears to be unwilling to play second fiddle to Thaksin. 

The constitutional change, if it succeeds as they desperately wish, will be a powerful tool to turn the tide against Thaksin's corruption charges once and for all; since it would become the supreme law and could annul the findings of any independent organization such as the AEC or any decisions or announcements of the coup-installed government. 

It seems things will soon get nastier if the Samak government cannot douse the fire flickering around parliament. 

And as you are already witness to Thai political turbulence, there will be more to come. 

From recent experience, dealing with the constitution will end up affecting the nation's social and economic facade as well. 

But to guarantee a pro-people amendment, civil society needs to have a big say and monitor closely the political process inside parliament. 

For those smoothing the way for Thaksin's safe and sound return to Thailand might have to act more discreetly now since any ill-conceived political tactics might work against their wishes and provoke the return of popular/street democracy.