A proposal supported by the Pheu Thai Party to establish a special-administered area in the far South is being criticised as impractical and unrealistic.
‘‘ From a security standpoint, I’d say I don’t agree. Thailand is indivisible. PRAYUTH CHAN-OCHA ARMYCHIEF
The ruling party's committee on law reform is sponsoring legislation to designate Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and four districts of Songkhla as areas within a special administration zone to be called "Pattani Maha Nakhon" (Pattani Mega City).
The proposed bill was put forward by committee member Prasop Bussarakham.
The bill envisions a directly elected mayor in Pattani Maha Nakhon.
However, the bill has been met with scepticism from local civic groups and academics who say the proposal overlooks a most essential facet _ decentralised power.
Munso Salae, deputy chairman of the Southern Islamic Culture Foundation, said despite having a directly elected mayor, the government must be prepared to devolve power.
The country must be restructured to allow greater distribution of power that will grant people more control of local administrations.
If power is not decentralised, the Pattani Maha Nakhon model will end in futility, Mr Munso said.
Mr Munso is one of a number of leading figures pushing for public participation in the special administration of the far South.
He said Pheu Thai's bill fails to mention the establishment of a local council made up of people in the southern border provinces to manage their own administrative affairs.
Mr Munso explained the network wants the special-administered zone to have a council that monitors the performance and counterbalances the authority of the mayor.
Mr Prasop has said the ultimate goal of the legislation was to authorise self-rule in the far South, which would mean more autonomy than a special-administered zone would have.
However, the draft did not state how self-rule could be achieved.
Through the years, various parties have recommended special administration of the far South as a means to restore peace in the strife-torn region.
Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha insisted a special administration zone will be superfluous if it means setting up specific organisations and enacting laws to exclusively deal with the situation in the southernmost provinces.
The provinces are governed by the emergency law, the Security Act and martial law in heavily insurgent-prone areas.
There are also the Internal Security Command and the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre.
"From a security standpoint, I'd say I don't agree [with the special administration zone]. Thailand is indivisible," the army chief said.
"This is risky. Let's not talk about it. The issue is delicate and sensitive," he added.
He said authorities and residents understand the security challenges in the region.
Residents are under no pressure to pursue self-rule.
Ukrit Mongkolnavin, chairman of the National Independent Rule of Law Commission, said the military approach has failed to quell the southern unrest. The Pattani Maha Nakhon model could bring a change for the better.
He said the model would be similar to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in which residents have a say and participation in the city's affairs.
However, some leading security expert expressed reservations about Pheu Thai's model. They argued it could worsen insurgence violence if the plan is not carefully thought out and executed.
Prominent academic Chaiwat Sattha-anand said it will be difficult to implement the model.
The government has not been seriously committed to dealing with the region's security woes. The problem is viewed mainly as a security issue being tackled chiefly by security agencies.
He said the problem is being handled with a narrow vision.
What the powers-that-be consider to be a solution might not be what the residents want.
A special administration project for the far South was first advocated by former premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh under the "Multi-Coloured Flowers" theory, to forge peace among people of different religious and ethnic backgrounds.
The idea, however, was controversial as many feared it would lead to the country being partitioned.