It's hardly surprising there are only two names emerging as candidates for Speaker of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), which will be voted on next Tuesday.

Their huge reputations have made former Senate speaker Meechai Ruchuphan - who is slightly ahead in the race - and Prasong Soonsiri, the former secretary-general of ex-PM Prem Tinsulanonda, the only contenders for the job.

However, the two face opposition from their critics.

The leading contender, Meechai, has long experience in legal affairs. Known as the top legal expert in the country, Meechai used to serve Prem's government and later ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

He also played a key part in helping the coup-makers draft statements, orders, announcements, and the interim charter after the September 19 coup.

But the controversy is over his tenure with Thaksin, who once appointed Meechai to be chief of legal reform.

His critics fear Meechai might act as a "double agent", who could finally pave the way for Thaksin's return to politics, or possibly help him to avoid any punishment.

The other contender, Prasong, has close connections with Prem.

Known as a political scriptwriter, Prasong was one of the masterminds behind Thaksin's ouster, but that is also his weak point because it would look like the coup-makers have rewarded Prasong with the post for his decisive role in toppling Thaksin.

There is no doubt that both are capable of winning the position of speaker of Parliament judging by their experience. In Thai society, people are always judged by their previous experience. Most people put a premium on reputation - good, bad and well-known - but rarely think about qualifications.

That's why, despite other available choices, only two familiar names have been floated as contenders for the post.

But why can't we think differently?

Of the 242 members, there could be other people who fit the criteria. It's surely better to begin the selection process for the new speaker by looking at qualifications that match the job's requirements - rather than the personality and reputation.

According to the interim charter, the Speaker of the NLA has plenty of significant duties.

The Speaker will act as the President of the National People's Assembly (NPA), who will have the job of selecting from among its members 200 suitable individuals for the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA). The Speaker then has the duty of presenting the Draft Constitution to His Majesty the King.

More importantly, the Speaker has the responsibility of overhauling any laws and rules that caused problems to the country during Thaksin's reign. The Speaker also has to pass any laws issued by the interim government aimed at eradicating Thaksin's regime.

As a result, whoever takes the post should be someone with charisma, is well respected, and keen on keeping order in the meetings. Moreover, Parliament should not rely only on the same old guards who have been on the political scene for years. New faces with fresh ideas are needed.

Besides Prasong and Meechai, many of the 240 members are well-known and qualified enough to become the Speaker if they got a chance to show their vision and the political will to do so.

If the selection of the new president of the national assembly was open to all interested members, it would be a good indicator of the independence of this Parliament, despite being picked by the junta.

To establish fundamental ethics in Thai democracy, all 242 members of Parliament should be transparent in the election of its chief and accept new people and new thinking for the future of the nation.

Jintana Panyaarvudh

The Nation