On Tuesday, Surayud delivered his grand speech at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand, explaining what his government would like to achieve over the next year or so. He made four key points about the challenges facing his administration: namely, political reform, restoration of national unity, addressing income inequality and re-establishing the Rule of Law.

Some of Surayud's priorities overlap with those of the NSC. General Sonthi Boonyaratglin outlined four key points as the reasons behind the September 19 coup. First, the country had been divided as never before and bloody violence could happen. Second, there was widespread corruption. Third, independent institutions had been compromised to the extent they could not perform their duties as entrusted by the Constitution. Finally, there were actions bordering on contempt of the monarchy.

How will the interim government and the NSC work to fulfil the priorities they have outlined? Clearly the NSC, which represents a body of military rulers, is not equipped with the government machinery or bureaucratic apparatus to fulfil its pledges. It has done its job by staging a coup to oust the Thaksin regime. The burden of carrying the nation forward falls upon the interim government.

Judging by Surayud's words and deeds so far, you have to admit he is quite impressive. He can handle all the tough questions pretty well. His English is impeccable. He has a sound intellect to articulate his ideas. As a military strategist, Surayud knows how to work on building blocks to achieve results. However, we need to see more concrete action from his government because high public expectations might turn into big disappointments. Expectations are Surayud's biggest enemy. Politicians always run after "Mr Expectation". A shrewd politician would normally keep public expectation low, so that when he accomplishes only very little he can claim he has done so much for the country.

The Thai public has been rather disappointed with the initial sluggishness of Surayud's performance. The coup came as a political big bang. Naturally, the people have high expectations that with power in hand, the government should proceed quickly to fulfil the pledges of the coup leaders in removing the Thaksin regime.

General Sonthi has indicated he reluctantly staged the coup to end the political crisis. Surayud said Sonthi asked him twice to accept the premiership before he reluctantly agreed. How all this reluctance can be transformed into effective government remains to be seen. On political reform, it will be a big challenge for this administration to guide the transition to an elected government. Hopefully, the transition will be smooth. But you can be sure there will be disputes over how the new charter will be drafted. How democratic will the new Constitution be with regard to checks and balances?

Surayud has moved quickly to restore national unity. On Friday, he apologised to Muslim leaders in the South for the mistakes of the last regime. The process of reconciliation with Thai Muslims is underway in earnest.

Surayud has also got assurance from his Malaysian counterpart Abdullah Badawi that Malaysia will cooperate with Thailand over the insurgency in the South. Surayud is spending more time in the South, extending the olive branch and promising full reconciliation. Thus we should hopefully see improvements in the South. Surayud's only condition is that any attempt to cede territory from the Kingdom of Thailand is unacceptable.

The remnants of the Thaksin regime should be dealt with decisively if they attempt to create trouble. We have to watch how effective Surayud is on this front.

With regard to income inequality, the government is too ambitious with this key policy platform. With only one year in office, it won't be able to do much for poverty eradication. It might take Thailand several decades before it succeeds in bridging the gap between rich and poor or providing adequate healthcare, education and housing to the underprivileged. Still, Surayud has to address this particular policy because income inequality is the source of all political problems.

Most interesting is Surayud's pledge to re-establish the rule of law. "The government intends to undertake far-reaching and drastic reforms in the administration of justice, in the police and in the permanent strengthening of our anti-corruption agencies," he said.

"I understand that between such good intentions and their effective implementation many politicians' promises have been lost. But I am not a politician and I am not bound by special interests. Moreover, I have the authority and the power that comes with being an appointed prime minister to act quickly and decisively."

With this ringing pledge, you have to give Surayud the benefit of the doubt. The rule of law is even more important than democracy. An undemocratic country can survive with the rule of law, but a democratic country can't survive without it. Police chief Kowit Watana is having sleepless nights. His National Police Headquarters is to undergo surgery as the first important step toward re-establishing the rule of law. The Attorney-General's Office will also need to undergo a revamp in the same manner if it is to do its job appropriately in the justice process.

If Surayud can improve the institutions involved in the due process of Thai justice and pave the way for a smooth transition to democracy, he will have completed his task creditably.

Thanong Khanthong

The Nation