"The Constitution is just one important aspect of political reform," said Kanin, adding the strengthening of direct democracy through people politics and the making of democratic traditions were equally important - if not more so. "It is just a piece of paper. How can it protect anyone?"

Kanin warned the public to realise that what was lost through the coup on September 19 was in fact immense and would have deep negative repercussions for the democratic rule of law.

"The people were pleased. They presented flowers [to the coup makers] but they're not aware of what they have lost. The coup is like a vicious cycle. We don't know what the future will be like - and I dare say nobody can predict it. This is the result of the coup. It has created uncertainties."

He also urged the public to consider politics, not as a spectator sport but as a war, and to realise that the constitution is not a sporting rule but the supreme law to manage political differences through a peaceful war. 

"I don't see anyone criticising the interim constitution. Does it mean people accept it as good? The interim 2006 constitution is like a chartered flight, the owner [the junta] can do whatever they like and we don't even know how they paid the rental fee."

Kanin, who was speaking at a symposium organised by three NGOs including the Asian Network for Free Elections (Anfrel), said the public should still insist that future prime ministers come from elected MPs.

Human rights lawyer and secretary general of Poll Watch Foundation, Varin Thiemchara said the challenge is how to rid the country of corrupt politicians and prevent them from being elected. He also agreed with Kanin that "citizens' politics" needs to be strengthened. "It's still weak," he said.

Meanwhile, General Saiyudh Kerdphol, co-founder of Anfrel, said NGOs should play a greater role in monitoring future elections, adding that the experience and result of NGO roles in South Korea and the Philippines had been encouraging. He said educational institutions should teach students about citizens' politics too.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation