Another coup on the way in Thailand?

[Slantwire]

I've been able to get a little news, but not much. Can someone in the AO (or with better google-fu) provide more information?

Here's the condensed version of what I have been able to find:

After the military coup in 2006 that ousted Thaksin Shinawatra ("Square Face"), the army held / allowed elections to put together a new government. Thaksin's party, the People's Power Party, reclaimed the majority and Samak Sundaravej, took over as prime minister. (I've seen Samak described as Thaksin's protege. I don't know how accurate that is.) Thaksin is now in the UK to avoid corruption charges in Thailand.

Now the Election Commission is calling for the PPP to be dissolved for electoral fraud. Opposition type are denouncing several government actions: attempts to change the Thai constitution, certain political appointments, and a territorial dispute with Cambodia over an ancient Khmer temple site.

A large chunk of opposition has formed the People's Alliance for Democracy. The PAD is demanding Samak's resignation, staging an ongoing sit-in at Government House, blocking traffic and a few airports, and threatening massive strikes until the PM quits. (Plus threats against certain media outlets?)

A countering pro-PPP group, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, has taken to the streets as well. The PAD and UDD have clashed in recent days, with a handful dead and a few dozen injured.

Samak has declared a state of emergency, giving the police and military wide latitude to maintain order, as well as trying to shut down a lot of internet sites.

The head of the army and the head of the Bangkok police seem to both be declining the emergency authority - both have said they won't send troops to the street with firearms. Riot gear, shields and batons at most. Last I saw, the major PAD and UDD groups are separated with the police and army keeping them separate.

Can someone provide some unbiased commentary? Is the current government more corrupt than a typical one? Is the PAD actually a "people's movement," or are they more fringe? What exactly is the UDD? (To my uninformed eye, it reads like a vigilante group - isn't it supposed to be the police facing down a protest group?) Does the police / military refusal to play hardball on the streets suggest a political stance? Has the king said anything yet?

For anyone actually in Krung Thep, what's the situation really look and feel like? I can't tell if the whole city's gone nuts or if there's three city blocks of mess getting over-reported.