"In my opinion, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont gets eight out of 10 for his leadership," he said in an exclusive interview with Nation Channel on Tuesday.

Banharn said Surayud had the courage to take an unprecedented move to admit past mistakes in a bid to restore peace in the deep South.

He also admired Surayud's leadership for trying to forge social unity.

Banharn said he viewed the army's seizure of power as inevitable because no one could curb the runaway power of the Thaksin Shinawatra regime.

"I don't condone the military coup but this has paved way for the interim government to revamp the political system," he said.

He urged relevant parties to devote full attention to drafting of the new constitution to ensure improved democratic rule.

Among tentative proposals for the charter draft he suggested a limit of two four-year terms for prime ministers, easier rules to censure the government and a mandatory judicial review of disqualified electoral candidates.

In regard to political volatility, he said Thaksin should stop making trips circling around Thailand.

"As long as Thaksin keeps on travelling, doubts will intensify about his true intentions," he said, referring to the huge publicity on Thaksin's holidays in mainland China, Hong Kong and Bali.

Banharn said Thaksin should lie low and live quietly in one place and wait for his chance to return home - after the next general election.

Commenting on Thaksin's popularity, he said the deposed prime minister was not a super politician who could not be defeated. His two election victories happened when he had money and state power, he said.

Asked about the future of his party, he said he was in no rush to resume activities before the promulgation of the new constitution. "I want to see the new rules before taking any action," he said.

He also revealed that the 12-member Chon Buri faction rejoined his party because it had been forced to defect to the Thai Rak Thai Party when Thaksin was at the height of his power.