"If someone has been in office for two consecutive terms or eight years, they should not be permitted to run for a third term" he said. "After that, they could be allowed to seek re-election."

He said the proposal was a personal opinion and would not be included in the draft Constitution.

Thirapat unveiled the idea on Sunday, saying politicians who stayed in power for too long were able to smooth a path to consolidated power and corruption.

Some opposed the idea.

"I strongly disagree that the terms of the executive and legislative branches be limited," Chat Thai deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul said.

If voters believed candidates for office were bad or unqualified or would cause trouble for the country they would definitely not cast ballots for them, he said.

National Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Charan Kullavan-ijaya said, "It doesn't matter how long a politician is in power, but how they contribute to society."