PM's Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana will begin talks on Sunday with the leaders of 17 civic groups opposed to a controversial housing project for judges and judicial officials at the foot of Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai.
The planned visit to Chiang Mai was announced Wednesday. Mr Suwaphan was assigned earlier by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to deal with the dispute.
He said he saw his task as being divided into three stages, before a formal committee is set up to work on resolving the problems associated with the project.
Mr Suwaphan was not able to go into any detail, merely saying he was told to listen to various opinions about the project, not just from its opponents but other interested parties as well.
Despite admitting that the use of Gen Prayut's special Section 44 powers could bring a swift and decisive end to the dispute, he said sticking to to ordinary laws was considered the best course of action.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam also said he didn't think Section 44 was necessary in this case.
Mr Suwaphan will work together with the 3rd Army and other local security officials to compile information that Gen Prayut may require before any decision on the housing project can be made, Mr Wissanu said.
Asked if a referendum was necessary to decide whether the project should be demolished, the deputy prime minister said that would be an unnecessary and expensive route to take.