Just wondering how the members felt about this. It appears the country from the following article and poll thinks that within 6 months one is needed.

Quote:Poll: Thai politicians will never change

The landmark verdict handed out by Thailand's Constitution Tribunal last Wednesday seemed not strong enough for unruly politicians to change their behaviour, according to a survey.

Thailand's largest political party, the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party founded by deposed PM Thaksin Shinawatra, was among four parties dissolved in the historical decision, with their executives receiving a five-year ban from playing any role in politics.

ABAC Poll director Noppadol Kannikar said nearly two-thirds of the poll's respondents -- 63.4 per cent of the total 3,189 persons interviewed -- believed that despite the harsh punishment, Thai politicians' behaviour would remain unchanged.

Conducted May 31-June 2 in 15 provinces nationwide, the survey found that some respondents – 15.6 per cent – believed that politicians' behaviour would even become worse.

Nearly half of the sample groups -- nearly 47 per cent -- wanted a general election to be held within three months while 38 per cent wanted the election to be organized between 3 to 6 months. Additional 15 per cent said it would be better if the election is held after the New Year.

Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont has said that the election would be held this December.

Regarding what kind of government they wished to have after the election, 77 per cent said they wanted a "clean" government followed by competent government (75 per cent) and hard working government (74 per cent). (TNA)

One of the important things to be done before elections would be to rule out politicians' conflicts of business interests and politics by simply not allowing businessmen to run for politics. Sure there is the way of transferring the business to family members, friends etc. first. But ways could be found to make these interest conflicts a little less likely. With Thaksin that conflict was guaranteed from the beginning!