Meechai did not say when the NCPO submitted the proposal to him after a week of speculation that the junta and key figures in government wanted the CDC to help to address the selection of senators to ensure reforms during a five-year transitional period after an election next year.

He said the proposal was signed by Army chief General Theerachai Nakawanich, and that it including four or five pages detailing the resolutions of a recent meeting of the “Four Rivers” government bodies – the NCPO, the Cabinet, the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) and the National Legislative Assembly. Last week, they met in Meechai’s absence.

The chief drafter later revealed that he had not been invited to the meeting and did not want to attend for fear that resolutions would tie the CDC’s hands regarding the charter draft.

Meechai declined to confirm whether the proposal also contained controversial points regarding the selection of senators, but he said it carried “weight” because it came from those in charge of the country at the moment.

CDC spokesperson Udom Rathamarit said the CDC meeting did consider and acknowledge the proposal, and that the Cabinet would explain it to the public today.

The proposal contains more recommendations than the 16 points originally submitted by the Cabinet, Udom said, but he insisted that it would not affect the existing roadmap and the CDC would still meet its deadline. “We are not worried about that,” Udom said.

Udom declined to confirm if the CDC would revise the draft following all recommendations, saying only that it would be legally permissible for the CDC to not follow some points. He added that he was not sure if people would accept it if the CDC followed all of the recommendations. “Any revisions must be explainable,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NRSA’s political reform panel plans to call a meeting today to discuss the planned referendum before making proposals for the NRSA’s whip to consider.

“This techno-era keeps shortening our patience, yet sustainable development needs time,” the former Army chief wrote.

The premier’s statement appears to be in line with the concept of a five-year transitional period after the general election, reportedly proposed by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to “maintain and drive reforms and the national strategy”. The NCPO has proposed that a transitional period be considered for inclusion in the charter draft.

To sustain Pracha Rat and its goals, Prayut continued, there should be an emphasis on judicial assurances, the integrated participation of all sectors of society, the empowerment of state agencies, and continued public support for the national strategy.

The retired general reiterated his claim that current national woes were rooted in past events, including politicians’ actions that turned people “colour-blinded and short-sighted”.

“People were intoxicated by politics,” he wrote. “They belonged to their colour blocs and became colour-blinded …Politicians were also selling a dream. They promoted only what they could do in their terms [in office] and only waited to be elected. That’s not sustainable.”

He wants the DSI to investigate whether former board members of the bank, Information and Communication Technology Minister Uttama Savanayana and Chainarong Indharameesup, were involved in illegally approving the loan.

The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders sentenced former KTB board chairman Suchai Jaovisidha, ex-KTB president Viroj Nualkhair and ex-KTB board member Matchima Kunchorn na Ayutthaya to 18 years’ jail each.

Uttama and Chainarong were among the board members who approved the loan but have not faced charges like the other members.

Wanchai also wants the DSI to check alleged irregularities over a move by Bangkok Bank to reduce debts to the Krisada Mahanakorn Group from Bt14 billion to Bt4.5 billion, despite the bank being aware the group had obtained a Bt8 billion loan from Krung Thai.

DSI deputy director-general Somboon Sarasit said the money laundering case related to the Bt8 billion loan would be wrapped up next month.

He said the DSI had received statements from those who received cheques in relation to the scandal including Panthongtae Shinawatra, ex-prime ministerThaksin Shinawatra’s son.

Chavalit said the Third Force was set up three years ago and includes 21 ethnic hill tribes, the poor, Southerners and insurgents who surrendered their weapons.

“The way we stage our movement is to educate the people to help fight poverty.

“If there are clashes, the Third Force would mediate peacefully,” he said.

At a press conference at his residence, Chavalit said the timing of the conference had nothing to do with ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s recent criticism of the junta.

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Government Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd questioned if it was possible a group like the Third Power could solve conflicts. “Who has conflicts with whom? The government has no conflict with anyone. Such a move is actually the government’s duty,” he said.

Chavalit said he left the Thaksin camp after Thaksin told him he planned to introduce “Shindawong” – the uniting of the Shinawatra, Damapong and Wongsawat clans as a political camp.

“I disapproved of the move so I quit,” he said.

He dismissed speculation he was trying to help bring Thaksin back to Thailand because the country is still in conflict, saying doing so would be beyond his ability.

Chavalit said he did not work for anyone and had not been financed by anyone or acted on an order from anyone.

“I always respect Privy Council chief General Prem Tinsulanonda,” he said.

“I desperately would like to meet him but I dare not because I was told that he does not want to meet politicians. I am not a politician.” Chavalit said he wished to see democracy in Thailand and end political conflicts.

“Because no country can become rich if it is under a dictatorship … The constitution is important but the people’s wish is democracy. True democracy is when the people have the power,” he said.

Chavalit said he did not mind if senators were not directly elected but they must not side with a particular political camp.

He had no problem with a constitution with special mechanisms.

Chavalit said although he no longer served the country, he always thought it was his responsibility to bring about peace.

He had been treated for the disease for three years in Myanmar and Singapore.

Bo Nat Khann Mway appeared as DKBA chair on December 20 when it celebrated the 21th anniversary of its establishment.

He split from the Christian-led Karen National Union in December 1994, and shortly after that signed a peace agreement with the Myanmar government in exchange for military and financial support.

The DKBA’s headquarters is across the border from Tak province.

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A source said that when Bo Nat Khann Mway’s condition deteriorated after the anniversary celebration, he returned to receive treatment at Yangon Hospital and was transferred to a Singapore hospital. He died a week after returning home.

He became widely known in Thailand after being blacklisted for being involved in drug gangs.

He gave interviews in which he attacked the then Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung and had closed a border checkpoint. His army also had a series of disputes with the Thai Army. His poor |relationship with Thai authorities was the reason he did not seek treatment here, the source said.

The event was held by the National Legislative Assembly at Parliament.

He said religion could be used as a tool to fight corruption by stressing that it was a sin that must be avoided.

“We should teach young people that cheating is shameful,” Prem said.

The former prime minister said Thais should help remove the label that the country was full of corrupt people.

“For me, the worst problem for a country is that there are people who cheat their own country. This is very shameful,” Prem said.

He called for corruption cases to be expedited.