The Feb 2 election should be regarded as a "special poll" to pave the way for national reform, academics and business groups told the government's reform forum yesterday.
The discussion followed the first reform forum held on Sunday.
It was held after requests from academics who wanted to expand on earlier reform ideas, said permanent secretary for the Prime Minister's Office Ministry, Tongthong Chandransu, who serves as the forum's coordinator.
The first forum agreed the Feb 2 election must go ahead, and a process must be agreed upon to implement reform afterwards.
About 20 academics and representatives from seven private-sector organisations joined the second forum at a Bangkok hotel yesterday.
The forum was not broadcast, as Mr Tongthong wanted participants to feel at ease in expressing their opinions.
After the event he told the media the forum had agreed the upcoming election must be carefully organised to lead Thailand towards national reform.
Mr Tongthong said the organisation would comprise three elements.
First, every sector of society must participate in the Feb 2 election.
"Participation from all parties in the poll will kickstart the fundamental aspects of reform," Mr Tongthong said.
Second, political parties which take part must have a clear plan of how they will implement reform after forming the government. Third, organisations needed for the implementation of reform should be established immediately after the election.
The forum has not yet elaborated on the organisations' details. It only said they must be free from political influence and their members must be trustworthy.
Former finance minister, Thanong Bidaya told the forum yesterday that the Feb 2 election should be postponed to allow for political reform and to revise election rules to ensure fairness.
One solution to the political stand-off is to establish a reform committee that includes people from the two conflicting camps _ the government and protesters, Mr Thanong suggested.
As well as pursuing political reform, the committee should revise election rules to enhance transparency and tackle corruption.
The reforms should be completed within one or two months, he said, adding that all sectors should be involved in the reform process.
"Postponing the election for one year or longer will affect the country's economy," he said.
Anusorn Tamajai, an academic, said reforms will become more significant and legitimate if political parties agree before the election that they will implement them.