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Published on September 16, 2007

They argue that their passage would tie the hands of the elected government.

"Any attempts to impose obligations on the next government should cease," party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

The interim government should also avoid rushing out policies with far-reaching impact, such as those advocating nuclear power and genetically modified crops, before its term ends, he said.

In the months leading up to the general election in December, authorities should focus on ensuring a free and fair vote rather than pushing for more laws, he told a seminar on democracy organised by Thammasat University.

The controversial draft bills should be left for elected lawmakers to review, he said.

There was no justification for hasty passage of the provocative provisions of the proposed Internal Security Act, he said.

Should his party lead the next government, the new Constitution would be amended to allow a completely elected Senate, he vowed.

Under existing provisions, the upper chamber will consist of both elected and appointed representatives.

Surapong Suebwonglee, secretary-general of the People Power Party and another panellist, voiced optimism that following the general election his party would successfully push for amnesty for 111 Thai Rak Thai Party executives banned from the electoral process due to fraud.

He also opposes the Internal Security Act on grounds that it infringes basic human rights and stressed that his stance should not be construed as courting the Democrats.

He anticipated aspirations for direct involvement in politics and a stronger popular democracy among the electorate.

"The September 19 coup was a costly lesson that Thailand cannot stand with dignity in the world community if she embraces dictatorship," he said in reference to European governments refusing to welcome a junta-appointed prime minister.

In making his point on an elected leader's obligation to manage power and resources, he referred to Abhisit as "a man likely to be unfortunate to have the burden of becoming prime minister".

"Someone told me a prime minister is an unlucky man and I hope if Abhisit is that unlucky man, he will be able to steer the country out of its crisis," he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said he had told the National Security Council to consider lifting martial law in the North and Northeast, except certain border provinces, ahead of the December poll.

"The NSC is considering the matter and there should be no problem. Areas with real security threats will still need martial law,but other areas may not need it. We will consider lifting it based on this principle," Surayud said.

Several groups, especially the People Power Party, have urged the government to retract the draconian law before the election late this year.

Surayud's comments came in an interview for the "Open House at Ban Phitsanulok" show on Channel 11.

Bancha Khaengkhan

 The Nation