“It’s a charade to show the world that Thailand is returning to democracy,” he told the Wall Street Journal in a rare interview.

“But in reality it would be like Myanmar before its political reforms. There would be a prime minister, but the real power would be in some politburo above him and the economy would suffer. No other government would want to touch Thailand.”

He urged Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government to talk with all political groups in the country to find a way forward that would be acceptable for everyone, starting with the framing of a constitution that provided a voice for the country’s voters.

He said the constitution must not be weakened by the junta’s proposal to stay on the scene once a general election was held in the form of a security council.

“Please don’t be paranoid. Please don’t fear that I’ll come looking for revenge,” said Thaksin, whose younger sister, ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra, was ousted along with her government in the 2014 coup.

“I’m not looking for any conditions to help myself. But if you have a real intention to move the country forward, if you intend to return dignity to the Thai people, then please come to talk.”

In an interview with the Financial Times, Thaksin had called for talks with the junta to end the political crisis in the country. “I don’t set any kind of conditions for myself. I just want to see the country moving forward, to return democracy to the people,” he said.

The ex-premier, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006, suggested draft constitutional measures to weaken the power of elected politicians were aimed at him.

He stressed he was not trying to “challenge” or “fight” the generals, but said “in this 21st century no-one respects the country with the junta regime”.

He added: “I don’t [say] that this junta will not last long. But any regime that [does] not respect the people will not last long.”