Go bend someone else's ear!

I went out for a quiet drink at Mum's shop.

I wanted a quiet one, because I had worked late the night before.

Mum's husband watches political news on television all day while he is serving at the shop.

By the end of the day, when Mum turns up to take over the shop-minding duty, he wants to unload.

He poured himself a beer, and sat down with me at the bench table which faces the sidewalk. The street was quiet, and customers scarce.

'Thailand is in a bad way...' he said.

What...again?

Thai politics is indeed heating up, after two of nine core leaders from the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy were arrested by police.

Police were acting on arrest warrants issued after the group took over Government House in an illegal occupation last month.

No doubt Mum's husband, a former army engineer who likes the People's Power Party-led government, wanted to talk about the latest developments.

However, I ignored his conversation opener.

I don't want to get into a discussion about politics. It's dull and depressing, watching Thais fighting.

From their stronghold at Government House, PAD leaders have called on supporters to besiege parliament. They want to stop the government presenting its policy statement to the House.

If the government cannot deliver its policy statement, it cannot govern. Prime Minister Somchai declared he would not allow the PAD to disrupt the session.

Earlier today, riot police stormed the barricades on Sukhothai and Rachawithi roads which the PAD had set up outside parliament.

They fired tear-gas into the crowds, forcing them away from one entrance.

But back to Mum's shop. Lacking any willing conversation partners, Mum's husband left after finishing one beer.

Soon afterwards, regular customer Gap arrived. He also wanted to get political worries off his chest.

Gap, a law student, talked to me for an hour or more. I took hardly any of it in, as I was tired. Nor was I in the mood.

For most of it, I sat, nodding my head in agreement. I didn't care about his ideas, thoughts or opinions. He'll get his say on election day.

'I have noticed that foreigners side with the system of governance they have in place, and like to urge it upon Thais,' he said provocatively.

Democrat supporter Gap was referring to that dirty word among Bangkok's liberal establishment - 'democracy'.

I say dirty because the Democrats, the party favoured by many of Bangkok's middle class, are also unelectable. Most Thais don't want them.

'Do you agree?' he asked.

'Yes, they do like to do that,' I said.

But I should have added:

1. The right to one-man, one-vote was hard won. You don't toss it away once you have it.

2. If we champion democracy, it might be because it works.

3. Thais can't agree on a system of governance, because they don't like each other. The city-rural divide doesn't help.

But corruption at the ballot box, or in office? Please. That's just an excuse.

'You know, it's not that hard to live in a democracy, once it's in place,' I said half-heartedly.

About 10pm, I made my excuses, and left. Gap was still keen on bending my ear, but he will have to find someone else.

Yes, we might be in the middle of yet another political 'crisis' - but I just wanted a quiet drink.

Thais are in the process of tearing up yet another charter, challenging (or alternately boosting) the powers of the courts, protesting on the streets against the government.

It's not pretty to watch. Still less do I want to talk about it.

You want to destroy your own country? I can't do a thing to stop you.

It's a shameful waste, but you are best left to get on with it yourselves.