Abhisit: Pheu Thai's special zone unrealistic vote bait

The Pheu Thai Party's proposal to make the three troubled southern border provinces a special administrative zone is purely intended to win votes, and is not a realistic solution to the problem, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Abhisit was commenting on an interview by Pheu Thai's No.1 party list candidate Yingluck Shinawatra, who said her party would turn the three southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat into a special administration zone.

Prime Minister and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva

He said what Ms Yingluck said was not realistic.

The Democrat Party's policy is to give more power to local administrations - municipalities, tambon and provincial administration organisations (TOA and POA).

"If a special administration is set up, like Pattaya City, the TOAs or POAs would be gone.

"I assume that the special administration (mentioned by Pheu Thai) would be based in Pattani. If this is true, the people in Betong and Sungai Kolok would come under Pattani.

"I don't see how this would improve the people's quality of life," Mr Abhisit said.

The prime minister also disagreed to an idea to relocate heavy industries to the three southern border provinces, saying this would only cause more conflict to the area.

Ms Yingluck, meanwhile, avoided any commitment to take part in scheduled election policy debates between party leaders again.

She said she was not sure if she will be available for the forums organised by the People's Network for Election in Thailand (Pnet).

Ms Yingluck said her campaign schedule was tight and she had to tour throughout the country until just before July 3, so she was still undecided whether she would be available for the debates.

Pnet has scheduled a forum for the leaders of six political parties to debate their policies on June 23 and for Prime Minister and Democrat leader Abhisit and Ms Yingluck, as Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate, to debate on June 24.  The venue for the debates has not been disclosed.

Mr Abhisit has agreed to both debates.

Pheu Thai's No.1 party list candidate Yingluck Shinawatra

Ms Yingluck maintained that even if Pheu Thai did not take part in the debates, its absence was unlikely to make any difference to its popularity since, according to a party survey, the people wanted to hear Pheu Thai candidates speak in their constituencies.

On Mr Abhisit's questioning whether she can make her own decisions, or must seek approval first, Ms Yingluck said the people would make their own judgement on this matter.

Although she may be inexperienced in politics, she had much experience in business and leadership, she said.

Mr Abhisit has agreed to both debates.

Ms Yingluck maintained that even if Pheu Thai did not take part in the debates, its absence was unlikely to make any difference to its popularity since, according to a party survey, the people wanted to hear Pheu Thai candidates speak in their constituencies.

On Mr Abhisit's questioning whether she can make her own decisions, or must seek approval first, Ms Yingluck said the people would make their own judgement on this matter.

Although she may be inexperienced in politics, she had much experience in business and leadership, the former chief executive of Advanced Info Service (AIS) and until recently chairwoman of the family's  SC Asset Corporation said.