Institutions in Thailand must take stock of themselves or risk the country facing a deeper political divide with unprecedented, national violence, unrest and anarchy, Tham-masat University anthropologist Theerayuth Boonmee warns.

 Theerayuth says this time "even a military coup may not be able to contain such a situation".

'On the edge'

 He said Thailand is on the edge due to four crises: parliamentary, lack of problem solving, judicial and an aggressive PM Samak Sundaravej.

"Samak gets an A or even A-plus [at making aggressive remarks]," says Theerayuth.

He says the courts should speed up corruption trials.

'Rule of law needed'

"Usually politicians worldwide are not as thick-faced and once they're criticised they resign.

"In Thailand, it doesn't work that way. They will not resign until the courts make a ruling."

 Former premier Anand Panyarachun says 35 years after the October 14, 1973 uprising, hope and idealism remain just that.

 He says the rule of law is badly needed as is a free press, some things he says Thailand is only partially achieving.