The search is on for a high-calibre person with unquestioned integrity to head a transitional government in order to bring about national reconciliation and reform the political sphere. The new leader would then be expected to hand power back to a democratically elected government following the promulgation of a new constitution, which is expected to take about a year to complete. That is a tall order to fill under any circumstance - the more so given the two-week deadline Sonthi has set for himself to transfer power to a civilian government.

The names of several likely candidates have been mentioned and their qualifications extensively discussed. Depending on whom one talks to, everybody seems to have his or her own favourite who they believe should be made transitional prime minister to lead the nation out of this political crisis. The business community has made it known that their preference would be for someone who is well versed in business and economic affairs, and has professional integrity and an international profile to match. The legal profession also has its own frontrunners who have impressive track records and command high respect from their peers. More names are likely to be added to the growing list of candidates.

Such public debate shows that the spirit of participatory democracy is still very much alive even as the country's democratic processes have now been suspended, and it can serve as valuable input for Sonthi and the CDRM for when they finally have to make their decision. But it must be pointed out that any person chosen to lead the transitional government must command the widest possible support of the public beyond his or her own immediate circle, and the ability to communicate clearly with people from all walks of life.

It cannot be emphasised enough that in addition to all of the other qualities the interim prime minister must have, demonstrable political impartiality will mean credibility, which the new leader must depend on to reach out to the opposing sides in the country's multi-faceted political divide.

Let's not forget that the interim premier will be expected to achieve national reconciliation between pro- and anti-Thaksin groups. This pretty much divides the rural masses bogged down by poverty and ignorance, and the well-educated urban masses as well as Thai Muslims in the deep South and mainstream Thai society.

Surely such a Herculean task cannot be achieved within the approximately one-year term that the interim government is supposed to serve. But the interim government's performance will be judged by how it handles this most crucial task of getting opposing parties or estranged communities to start the process of building mutual trust to coexist, hopefully within a new, improved democracy under a new constitution.

Pro- and anti-Thaksin camps must be made to understand that their differences must be settled at the ballot box in a free and fair election, and that strong-arm tactics, vote-buying and other dishonest practices employed by the deposed prime minister in collusion with corrupt government officials will no longer be allowed. At the same time, people in the deep South and the rest of society must be persuaded to build a mutual trust so that a meaningful dialogue can take place.

The qualifications and the past performance of candidates are important criteria to use when screening candidates for the post of interim prime minister. Whoever is chosen must steer the country's economy, which has been battered by political turmoil, through this difficult time, while at the same time undertake to put our ailing political system back on track towards a more resilient democracy that better serves the people.