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"The current situation leaves no option but to overhaul the 1997 constitution through a truly neutral body," Kanin told The Nation.

The committee that Kanin proposes as probably the only viable alternative to the ongoing constitution and political crisis, should be headed by a well-respected neutral figure. Kanin suggested someone like former premier Anand Panyarachun or senior social thinker Prawase Wasi as among those qualified to become chairman of such a panel.

The committee should be composed of only about nine people and experts from both political camps should be enlisted, including constitution law expert Vorajaet Pakeerat of Thammasat University, who is critical of the junta-sponsored 2007 charter, said Kanin.

The committee will then have a time frame of no more than 120 days to "overhaul" the 1997 People's Constitution. Kanin stressed the word "overhaul" as he thinks it should be neither a new drafting process nor a mere amendment of the charter.

This may sound like a wild card, but with the current political deadlock Kanin hopes that both sides will eventually recognise that compromise is the only way to go.

Kanin favours lifting the ban from politics for many of the 111 former

Thai Rak Thai executives who are not being tried for any corruption or abuse-of-power charges. This means people like Thaksin Shinawatra would continue to have to be answerable to the courts.

He also opposes the dissolution of political parties, as it would do more harm and only damage the political landscape. On the other hand, and as a compromise, the

former military

junta - the Council for National Security - should be assured that there would not be prosecuted. This can be done through a transitory provision.

The idea of setting up a Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) should be dropped because it will likely be filled with pro-People Power Party members, he added.

After the overhaul, the new version of the 1997 charter should then be put to a referendum so that people can either approve it or express their reapproval of the 2007 Constitution. "Let's meet half way," said Kanin, who declared himself to be neutral. "Otherwise the situation will surely lead to war."