What did you talk about with Thaksin at your recent dinner?

Mostly, I talked more than him. Thaksin told me he was bored with politics as no matter what he does, or says, he is always wrong.

What was your objective when meeting him?

I wanted to know just what Thaksin's real goals are and if he actually wants reconciliation or not. Talking on the phone won't reveal anything about those. You need a face-to-face meeting.

Did Thaksin make any proposals to you?

No. I told him [mine] instead. Khun Thaksin may have something on his mind, but I have more [issues] than him. So I told him what he should do.

Was there any sign that the dinner would help to improve the political situation?

There are no signs to that end yet. We will have to see [what happens] because it's just starting. We should not expect any result from the meeting.

However, I have to continue what I'm doing, although I can't reveal [my plans] to anyone.

What do you plan to do next?

I have five steps, the first of which has passed. I've been thinking about the second step, whether to continue or stop. I can't tell you about the details now. I'm going step by step.

Are all sides going to be happy with your final step?

They are not now. It's all for the common good. But some sides are not interested, certainly.

How confident are you about Thaksin, because it's you who has offered a plan, not him?

He has accepted my proposal. So we should wait and see Thaksin's reaction, which means he will have to reduce the degree of pre-election violence - the power of money and government power.

Will Thaksin have to retreat for the sake of the country's unity?

Yes. If he doesn't, we can't go forward.

The meeting between you and Thaksin was not positive for you, do you think?

I have a standpoint about why I have to fear taking a negative view. If my objectives are achieved it will be for the benefit of the public, but if not I will go on to the next step.

What do you say about the suggestion that you are a Thaksin tool to create the image of reconciliation?

Nobody can use me. I simply wanted to listen to Thaksin's view. We have to do what we can for political unity. Our politics are now in uncharted waters. And we have no similar experience.

Political observers say Thaksin is trying to persuade you to join him.

I have not joined him. In fact Khun Thaksin a long time ago invited me to join the Thai Rak Thai Party and [offered to] promote me to the post of deputy prime minister.

I refused because I have prestige. In 1996 I was the premier while Thaksin served as my deputy, so if I joined him what would people call me? Once I was the prime minister, and then one day Thaksin appoints me as his deputy? Therefore, I told him that Chat Thai would not join him.

Did Thaksin suggest that he wants to win as many MP seats as the last time?

I told him outright that he shouldn't aim to win as many House seats as possible. I said, 'Don't aim at winning 370-plus seats. Share with others. Winning a moderate number should be fine.'

It's speculated that you still have ambitions to become prime minister again.

I insist that I am not thinking of making a return [as PM], except when all the party leaders are dead.

Do you see any possibility of a major party being dissolved?

I don't think so. Dissolving a political party is a big affair and it will lead to political chaos. Yet, if the court does order dissolution, it could happen before the election.

What will you do if people from the dissolved parties come to Chat Thai?

I may take some medicine. I will get headaches selecting the large amount of prospective candidates.