Prawase claimed Thaksin agreed to adopt his suggestions for the betterment of society but eventually did nothing. Yesterday, he came up with a new, 10-point recommendation for whoever becomes the next prime minister.

At times, it could read "what Thaksin is not".

1. The next prime minister must possess high ethical standards. "He must also possess good manners and respect for others."

2. Push for political reform, overhaul the bureaucratic system, strengthen local communities and civil society and foster an independent public media. "The challenge is to find ways to stop big money taking over politics. We can't just look at democracy as being about elections.

"Solutions must be found to ensure bureaucrats are dignified and independent. They should not be threatened with removal by politicians on a daily basis."

3. The next prime minister must be sincere and serious about preventing and cracking down on corruption. "One of the best tools [to uncover corruption] is investigative journalism."

4. Support a self-sufficient economy and adopt the Bhutan-style Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH) instead of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

5. The next prime minister should realise and rescue Thai people's dignity and nurture their potential and happiness, especially among those with little formal education or wealth. Chuan Leekpai's mother brought up the former premier well despite her lack of formal education, said Prawase, adding it was a testimony to people's wisdom that can be learned outside school.

6. The next premier should lift the moral standards of the whole of society and support a culture of volunteerism for the public good.

7. The next premier must solve the violent conflict in the deep South by propagating a non-violent culture. "He or she must speak peacefully and act peacefully, as well as endorse peace at all levels," said Prawase.

8. Legal reform must be carried out to ensure social justice.

9. The next PM must foster Thais' pride and potential at the international level.

10. The next prime minister must quickly strengthen national capability. This includes learning, communications, education and research capacities.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation