Constitution drafters have launched the first steps towards decentralisation of power in Thailand, a move that will give local governing bodies more say in their own administration.
A subcommittee of the Constitution Drafting Committee has put forward a suggestion that local administration bodies be merged into a single unit in each province.
The highly controversial move, which academics and experts say will strip Bangkok of considerable administrative power, will be put to the main CDC body for inclusion in the new constitution.
The local administrative bodies would be structured in the same manner as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, said Wuthisarn Tanchai, a spokesman for the subcommittee.
The sub-panel finished drawing up six provisions that relate to the decentralisation of power and the strengthening of local administrations late on Friday.
Mr Wuthisarn said new centralised local bodies in each province could not be created right away.
The economic strength of each province must be considered before a decision could be made on the mergers, he said.
Mr Wuthisarn said the subcommittee also wanted to expand the scope of local authority and give the bodies more independence.
The size and power of local bodies must be consistent with their increased roles and responsibilities, he said.
He added that some local bodies were simply too small to handle the expected increase in administration.
Mr Wuthisarn did not go into detail on how the proposal would enhance local accountability or represent citizen concerns.
He said the subcommittee also wanted to change the Thai name for local administrations, from pok khrong thong thin [local government] to boriharn thong thin [local administration], to better reflect the "horizontal relationship" with residents.
The subcommittee stressed that local bodies would be obliged to cooperate with residents rather than rule them, he said.
The sub-panel has also proposed guidelines to protect their independence.
That meant oversight by the central government would be limited to what is necessary, Mr Wuthisarn said.
The central government would set minimum standards for local bodies to follow, he said.
It would also make agreements with local bodies on joint investment in development projects.
In some cases the government would be allowed to petition the Administrative Court to rule on the legality of actions of executives of local bodies and members of local councils.