"The government is confident of success in pushing forward a key policy on political reforms - the drafting of a political master plan and the formation of a Political Development Council," Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said yesterday.

Surayud spoke at the launch of a government-sponsored seminar to review the master plan draft.

"For politics and the country to stay on course, I believe it is imperative to enact and implement the political development plan as a key to prevent the endless discarding and rewriting of the constitution," he said.

Surayud said as an individual with no political ambitions, he had no ulterior motive to push for the political development other than to share the common aspirations of fellow Thai citizens to see sustainable democratic rule.

He expressed the hope that the master plan and the soon-to-be-formed council would increase the public's participation in politics, helping to enhance the system of checks and balances as prescribed by the new constitution.

"The crucial factor for successful political development is to ensure access for all sectors of society to get involved in politics - the people must be aware and involved in every step of political process," he said.

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said he expected the draft bill for the council would be ready for Cabinet review by the end of May.

The council would be granted an independent mandate to oversee the implementation of

the master plan for sustainable development of civic society, he said.

Its plan would include six key strategies designed to encourage the public's participation, enhance rights and liberties, ensure good governance, promote decentralisation, boost political ethics and forge a political culture.