"This administration was not elected but chosen by a small group of people, so we cannot say that any of its decisions concerning state projects have been approved by taxpayers," Sita Divari said.

He urged the government led by Surayud Chulanont to arrange a national election as soon as possible to bring back the democracy that was blown away by the coup of September 19. "Many of its plans should be left to a new elected government," he said.

Surayud recently addressed the National Legislative Assembly with a policy statement outlining key goals for his interim government to accomplish in one year.

They include improving the management of mega-projects and setting a clearer prioritisation for implementation, mapping out a master plan to develop the intellectual infrastructure for a knowledge-based society; allowing people's involvement in international trade negotiations; and updating laws and trade regulations.

Thammasat University law lecturer Prinya Thaewanarumitkul criticised the government for failing to underline the rights of the people in its policies.

"The martial law decree still exists although the prime minister has the power to lift it," he said, adding that orders controlling the press and blocking websites continued.

The government should cancel those orders, but it had not indicated any intention to do so in the policy statement, he said.

Prinya warned that a new phase of political development, which many people had expected, would not happen if the bans were still in place.

Meanwhile, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, chairman of the Council for National Security, asked the government to add three issues to the national agenda.

They include unity and harmony of the people, an anti-corruption campaign, and celebration of 2007 as His Majesty the King's 80th birthday, he added.