Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda and Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont arrive at the King Mongkut Institute of Technology, Lat Krabang, to see an exhibition held in honour of HM the King.

Privy Council President Prem Tinsula-nonda yesterday likened Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to Britain's wartime premier and statesman Winston Churchill for selflessly taking up the leadership challenge under trying times.

"Churchill spoke about sacrifice that showed that he had to sacrifice for the country. Surayud is like Churchill in becoming the prime minister without any desire but doing it for the country," Prem said.

Political leadership should be about suppressing self-interest rather than amassing power to satisfy greed and temptation, said the chief adviser to His Majesty the King, drawing on the experience of Churchill.

"Churchill is the embodiment of sacrifice as he was tasked to lead England during World War II," Prem said.

Dire circumstances saw Churchill taking up the prime minister's mantle, while Surayud was appointed premier amid the despair of social division.

"I believe both Churchill and Surayud did not expect to assume power but were willing to serve the motherland," he said.

World War II broke out because no more than 10 people were obsessed with power and tried to conquer the world, he said, quoting Churchill.

While here, turmoil erupted because of runaway power.

He was speaking on the topic of political development and reconciliation at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Lat Krabang.

Prem touched on the characteristics of a national leader, saying he must maintain high morals, understand public problems and know how to solve them, persevere with an athlete's spirit and not allow himself to succumb to power and avarice.

"Leaders must not be obsessed with power and cling to it. They must know the word 'enough' and appreciate the King's sufficiency economy philosophy. All these qualities of good leaders will unify the nation."

He reiterated he was confident Phra Siam Thewathirat, the Guardian Spirit, was watching over the country.

"Phra Siam Thewathirat will curse bad people to their end and to meet grievous suffering for the rest of their lives," he said.

Accompanied by Surayud, he officiated at the opening of an exhibition to honour His Majesty before delivering his speech to 1,000 students and faculty.

He suggested a 10-point code to promote social harmony and national unity.

Key elements include putting the public before personal interests, being honest, upholding the law and justice, ensuring transparency, not equating wealth with goodness, being ready to admit mistakes, striving for national security and repaying the motherland.