A member of the new National Reform Council said he wanted to push stricter laws governing politicians and political parties.
Sangsidh Piriyarangsan, a former vice-president of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council, said the existing laws were not effective enough to deal with politicians.
"A party found to be in a rich man's pocket should be held accountable. Qualifications of political candidates, both at the national and local levels, should also be stepped up to help screen people before they enter politics," he said.
Once they are in office, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will monitor them.
"But at present I find the NACC lack governance, both in terms of effectiveness and efficiencies, as evidenced by a large number of pending cases," he said.
"In my view, the NACC should have the power to check the assets of a person of interest without having to wait for someone to file a petition.
"Those convicted of corruption charges must also be banned from politics for life."
He also said the NRC should listen to people's views. "Don't reform in the chambers," he said.
Members of the National Reform Council (NRC) started to report themselves at Parliament on Wednesday.
Maj Anan Vacharothai, a former Pheu Thai party-list MP, was the first to sign his name at 7.20am.
Dusit Krea-ngam, a brother of Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu, said he would focus on energy as this was where he had expertise.
He insisted he could work with Rossana Tosittrakul, a former elected senator who is outspoken about her resentment at PTT Plc and her call for energy reform.
Chai-Anan Samudavanija, a drafter of the 1997 constitution and key ally of anti-Thaksin Shinawatra media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul, said the NRC would not have to start from zero as there were already proposals from social critic Prawase Wasi and former prime minister Anand Panyarachun.
"I'm interested in decentralisation and in narrowing the income gap through a revised expenditure budget," he said.
On whether it is still necessary to keep martial law, Mr Chai-Anan said since a government was already in place and stability had returned, martial law should be lifted.
"In any case, martial law won't be an obstacle to reform," he noted.
After the constitution is written by a drafting committee, public view should be sought but whether it has to be through a referendum remains to be seen, Mr Chai-Anan said.
Alongkorn Ponlaboot, a former Democrat MP, said he would push energy reform and persuade all parties to take part in it.
The Democrat party has its own reform agenda which will be proposed to the NRC, he added.