A special administration zone similar to those adopted by Pattaya and Bangkok could be introduced in the deep South, National Security Council (NSC) chief Paradorn Pattanatabut said Thursday.
Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanatabut, head of the National Security Council and chief of the government's peace talks delegation, says a form of self-government is a likely outcome in the deep South. (File photo)
He was responding to a proposal reportedly put forward by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Lt Gen Paradorn said it has yet to be decided what kind of special administration would work best for the region.
"It would probably be a form of local administration since we already have models of that kind in Bangkok, Pattaya and Mae Sot [in Tak province]," Lt Gen Paradorn said.
He said education institutes in the South are holding public forums to gauge local feedback on the idea.
The NSC secretary-general insisted the establishment of a special administration zone would not violate the constitution and would help promote cultural and social identities.
Speaking about the third round of peace talks with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional set for June 13 in Malaysia, Lt Gen Paradorn said Thai negotiators had decided on a framework for the dialogue.
This will be forwarded to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat yesterday downplayed the possibility of Lt Gen Paradorn losing his job as NSC chief.
He was speaking about the Central Administrative Court's order to reinstate Thawil Pliensri as the NSC secretary-general. The minister also said the peace talks will continue regardless of who is at the helm.
Since the southern unrest shows no sign of abating, many residents want special laws _ the Internal Security Act, emergency decree and martial law where applicable _ to remain in force, ACM Sukumpol said, citing research.
The defence minister also said the security laws are needed to help the military's work in the deep South.
The government is considering revoking some special laws in several areas of the far South where the security situation has shown signs of improving.
Meanwhile, police and a bomb disposal squad yesterday examined the scenes of two bomb blasts in Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat. Both bombs went off about 7pm on Wednesday. No one was hurt in the explosions.
The first bomb was planted in a rubbish bin opposite a barbecue restaurant on Luksua Nusorn Road in Muang Sugai Kolok municipality. It was believed to have been detonated by an alarm clock, police said.
Police believe people in the restaurant may have been the target. Fortunately, a parked lorry shielded them from the blast.
The other bomb was hidden in a flower pot in front of a beauty shop, 100 metres away.
Police said the second device could have been intended to kill security officials called to the scene of the first blast. The second bomb went off before the bomb disposal team arrived, police said.
Narathiwat police deputy commander Nitinai Langyanay said CCTV camera footage from around the blast sites was being reviewed.
It is hoped the probe would yield results in the next couple of days, Pol Col Nitinai said.
