Pradit Pattaraprasit, who recently quit as Democrat Party secretary-general, feels he's finally worked things out - after playing politics for 11 years.

Pradit said people who want to throw their hat into the political ring and challenge the Thai Rak Thai Party in the next general election would receive a hearty welcome, but they should come in with tangible policies, not merely fine words about political ideology.

Mahachon Party leader Sanan Kachornprasart has been trying to persuade Pradit to join Mahachon as party secretary-general. But his former right-hand man said he needed more time to decide.

"Politicians have to be able to answer to the public and explain what they can deliver," Pradit said.

"Political parties that want to challenge Thai Rak Thai must be able to answer these questions first."

After eight years of existence, Thai Rak Thai has created more than just "Thaksinomics" - the system of economics which Thaksin Shinawatra and his cronies direct (and allegedly take advantage of). Thaksin's critics have to admit that he and his party have greatly increased political awareness among the public.

Politics is no more a boring or esoteric topic.

Thai Rak Thai has made politics the hot issue at every family dinner table, every street corner, and the subject of debate in offices, factories and farms across the country.

How? By showing people how politics can have a direct, tangible affect on their lives.

Those who want to challenge Thaksin must be able to effectively explain in concrete terms to the "grassroots", or Thaksin's core supporters, what their destiny could be if they follow the alluring consumer lifestyle promoted by Thaksin's economic stimulus measures.

To his opponents, Thaksin's governments have been little different from past regimes, wracked by allegations of rampant corruption. They care only for physical or "hardware" development and have ignored quality-of-life or "software" improvements.

The country has lurched from one crisis to another, with unsustainable and unbalanced development, and there appears to be little relief in sight.

The decision by leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy to throw their hats into the ring and establish a political party - with a mission to crusade against Thaksinomics - should be praised, although PAD supporters are wondering why they didn't field MP candidates during the first five years.

The excuse they gave, that they don't want to fall into the trap of money politics, could be seen as lame.

The real reason may be that they have yet to come up with tangible policies to challenge Thai Rak Thai's populist schemes.

The PAD should grasp the opportunity as the public's political awareness peaks, by offering to be a credible alternative at a time when voters are bored with the Democrats, disappointed with Thai Rak Thai, and disillusioned by both.

Phochana Phichitisiri

The Nation