BANGKOK, June 6 – Three sensitive provinces in Thailand’s far South could be declared a special administrative region, National Security Council (NSC) chief said today.
Lt Gen Paradorn Patanatabut said the government is conducting a public opinion assessment on the idea of special administration similar to those of Bangkok, Pattaya and Mae Sod district in Tak province.
He said the proposal would not affect resolutions to the southern problem since the government strictly adheres to the constitution without the notion of separating the region from the kingdom.
The NSC secretary general said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed security officials to urgently improve infrastructure and safety measures for people in the three southern border provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.
Ms Yingluck, chairing a security meeting today, reportedly told authorities to facilitate the southern residents transport and ensure accessibility to villages and communities.
