Thai government urged to reconsider "Pattani Maha Nakhon" Model

BANGKOK, March 7 (TNA) - Thailand’s main opposition Democrat Party has urged the ruling Pheu Thai Party to reconsider its "Pattani Maha Nakhon" or “Greater Pattani City” Model. Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the Pheu Thai Party should know that the southerners have refused to accept such the model, as none of Pheu Thai MPs won seats in Thailand's southern region, after presenting the policy during its electoral campaign prior to last July's general election. The opposition leader urges the Pheu Thai Party to review the policy carefully, saying he agrees with the concept of power decentralization, but the model appears to be centralized to the government. Under the model, three southernmost Thai provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani plus four districts in Songkhla would be merged under a single administrative body. (TNA)