Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont talks to Nation Group group editor Thepchai Yong during a special interview broadcast live on Modernine TV last night.

Since he was ousted as prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra has readily carried out his political movement from outside the country. Is this irritating you?

Not at all. He has the right to do that. The more he talks, the more people will know how he thinks. They can judge by themselves whether what he says is true or not.

When do you think is the appropriate time for his return?

After a new government is formed. But that depends on his own decision, too.

If Khun Thaksin is watching this interview, what do you want to tell him?

I want him to know there has been a transition from the time of his government that saw serious problems of power abuse and governance. We are now in a transitional period, and if he wants to come back, he can do that after everything is in place.

Any possibility for discus-sing conditions for his return?

First, he must stop his political movement. The conditions for his return do not depend on me alone, but also on the Council for National Security (CNS) and other parties concerned. Some groups may be against his return, and I must consider this.

Khun Thaksin has said he would wash his hands of poli-tics. Is that enough reason to allow him to return?

We have to think about it. If he really does honour his words, that would be acceptable. But we learned in the past that he sometimes says one thing but does otherwise. It is not certain he'll always do as he says.

How do you view Thaksin?

He is a politician who works both for the public and for his self-interest. It's like with any other politician. They all look at both public and vested interests. Good politicians look at public interest more than self-interest.

Four months ago, people gave you a big chance. Now if you talk to every sector, they are beginning to feel frustrat-ed. Businessmen said they would give you a grade of C.

Thais have their expectations. We cannot work with just our power alone. We must administer the country on accordance with the law. Even though I am appointed, I stick to principle, not emotion. I have to use reason and not sentiment. Some people say we must focus on the four charges that the CNS cited to stage a coup. I cannot do all four missions. Examination is not my job, because they have the AEC [Assets Examination Commit-tee] and the NCCC [National Counter Corruption Commission].

How about criticism that officials are in neutral gear?

If they have problems with legal issues, we can help solve them by amending the law. The AEC has the power but hesitates to use it, since it is a special investigation. Officials do not cooperate, because they are involved in the case. How many officials were not involved in the previous government? If they have to file complaints, they have to bring charges against themselves.

People in general don't seem to have a very good impression of your interim government. Do you think any changes are needed?

I think the government will have to emphasise more comprehensiveness in its overall work. Each ministry has its responsibility for such a task. We must look into transparency and budget spending carried over from the previous government. We will continue with projects that are good for the people and be more comprehensive. Each ministry has its job. They must continue amending some laws unfinished by the previous government. I have told Cabinet we will have an order of priority.