They circulated ideas they thought should be enshrined in the new charter during a ceremony to mark the October 14, 1973 democracy uprising.

Local governments should be freed from the control of the Interior Ministry and run under the supervision of an independent commission, Sompong Padpui said, commenting on the position of his Local Administration Organisations' Association.

Theerasak Panitwit, advocate for local governments, said the decentralisation process should be deepened in order to provide local authorities with greater leeway in running local affairs.

"The central government should be getting smaller, and the people should be allowed access to check on its performance," he said.

Prathin Wekhawakayanont, representative of the Network of Slums from Four Regions, said the charter-drafting panel should include advocates for poor people.

The charter aspirations must reflect the needs and viewpoints of the underprivileged, she said.

Human-rights advocate Pairoj Pholphet expressed concern that there might be attempts to scale down basic rights guaranteed by the 1997 Constitution.

"The new charter should be an improvement and not represent a lapse in rights and liberties," he said.

Chulalongkorn University political scientist Amara Phongsaphit said the transition of power should aim to improve on the leadership of government.

"The September 19 military coup happened because the deposed leaders were too stubborn to admit mistakes and tried to run the country like a business, with reckless disregard for ethics in order to accumulate personal gain," she said.

Amara said civic groups would closely monitor the revamp of the political system to usher in a new political era in which democratic rule would thrive under ethical leadership.

"Once we demanded and received democracy in some form, and it is now important to review the substance of democracy, paving the way to a transparent government under an ethical leader," she said.

Silapakorn University president Wiwatchai Attakorn said the interim government should focus on repairing the political system instead of solving day-to-day problems.

"I want to see the government laying foundations for the future," he said.

Activist Rosana Tositrakul reiterated her opposition to legal expert Meechai Ruchuphan securing the speakership of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

"Meechai has a reputation for serving the powers that be to circumvent democratic rule," she said.

Rosana voiced suspicion that the new charter would be drawn up to fit a certain blueprint instead of reflecting the people's aspirations if Meechai were to lead the NLA. The NLA is expected to elect its speaker and two deputies next week. Meechai is tipped as a lead contender for the speakership.