Of all the defensive words uttered by Thaksin in foreign media interviews over the last few weeks, these are the ones we should give the most attention to.

While we may consider them shameful and self-serving, we should not ignore the underlying message in his words: no one can govern Thailand without being corrupt. In case anyone has forgotten, this was the central issue behind last September's military intervention and it remains today the greatest challenge facing all Thais.

To agree with Thaksin is to admit defeat, with truly disastrous consequences for our beloved country. To agree with Thaksin means we have abandoned the rule of law, one of the defining characteristics of a civilised society. To agree with Thaksin means we have accepted the law of the jungle, where the powerful rule unchallenged. Is this the Thailand we wish our children to inherit?

I know one man who stubbornly disagrees with Thaksin - a man who very reluctantly gave up a comfortable retirement and a life lived according to the five precepts of Buddhism to serve his country one last time. He is a man who refuses to accept that corruption cannot be eradicated.

At first glance his agenda might seem like an impossible mission. It has four major components: 1) Successful political reforms, leading to a new constitution and free and fair elections before the end of this year. 2) The restoration of national unity, including the healing of the political divide created by Thaksin and bringing reconciliation and justice to our Thai Muslim brothers and sisters in the deep South. 3) Economic policy reforms designed to close the enormous income inequality gap that exists between our urban and rural communities.4) Re-establishing the rule of law and eradicating once and for all the national cancer of corruption which exists in all segments of society so that justice is available to all.

Each one of these four goals is difficult on its own, but this man understands they are all interconnected. He also understands that the fourth goal, re-establishing the rule of law, is the most important for without this nothing else will work. If justice is not available to all of our citizens, equally, the other goals cannot be achieved.

Is this really true? If we write a beautiful new constitution, if we adopt the sufficiency economy philosophy, if we root out the pervasive corruption during Thaksin's administration, if we reform the administration of justice and the police - won't all these actions collectively re-establish the rule of law?

Unfortunately the answer is: "No, they are not sufficient on their own."

The government cannot mandate the re-establishment of the rule of law without the agreement and active participation of the overwhelming majority of its citizens.

We have to decide. We all have to say no to corruption.

We have eight months to make up our minds and there are no short-cuts. Just as you cannot achieve true peace through violence, you cannot establish the rule of law by ignoring the law. As much as many people want to see all the corruption investigations involving Thaksin wrapped up, with charges brought and verdicts rendered as quickly as possible, everything must be done according to the existing law, otherwise this government would simply be walking in Thaksin's footsteps.

Our premier understands this but even he can get impatient. Over the last four months progress has been too slow. In the coming months I believe we can expect the heat to be turned up. I expect a wave of reforms, all focusing on strengthening the rule of law. I expect major publication communications programmes outlining the choices we face as a nation. I also expect that our courts will decide if Thaksin is speaking the truth or not.

Kanjana Spindler

Special to The Nation

Kanjana Spindler is the deputy secretary-general for political affairs to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont. The opinions expressed here are her own.