His Majesty the King has endorsed the 250 members of the National Reform Council (NRC) who have one year to come up with a blueprint for a better society.
The formal announcement of the list was made yesterday and many observers are interested to see how the councillors of the NRC will work together given their varying political backgrounds.
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has put its trust in the NRC to come up with plans to move Thailand forward in the hope the country can avoid the mistakes of the past.
Among the key NRC members are former Chulalongkorn University rector Thianchai Kiranan, who is widely tipped to be the council chairman.
The chairman and deputy will be chosen during the first session which is expected to take place in the middle of this month, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
After the first session, a committee will be appointed within 15 days to draft the constitution. The list of 36 committee members will be proposed by the NCPO, the cabinet, the NLA and the NRC.
Other prominent figures in the 250-member NRC include the former rector of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) Sombat Thamrongthandyawong, national artist Nawarat Phongphaibun, Foundation for Consumers secretary-general Saree Ongsomwang, former senator and Thaksin critic Chermsak Pinthong, and Boon Rawd executive Jutinan Bhirombhakdi.
NRC members from the pro-Thaksin camp include former defence minister Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa, former senator for Nonthaburi Direk Thuengfang and red-shirt supporter Ekkarat Changlao.
On the other side of the political divide, the NRC also comprises former senators from the anti-Thaksin Group of 40, Rosana Tositrakul, Khamnoon Sithisamarn, Paiboon Nititawan and Wanchai Sornsiri.
Despite the various backgrounds and political inclinations of the members, Mr Wanchai yesterday insisted all NRC members must settle their differences. "If each one sticks only to his individual thoughts and beliefs, national reform can't move ahead," he said.