Security agencies propose the lifting of all forms of martial law in a total of 31 border provinces, keeping only the Internal Security Act (ISA) in force, amid preparations for the launch of the Asean Economic Community (AEC), National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanatabut said on Wednesday.
The NSC chief said the 31 border provinces include Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat in the far South.
He said the idea intends to ease concerns and inconvenience that could be caused by the special laws, which include martial law and the emergency decree, ahead of the launch of the AEC in late 2015.
The matter would be discussed and a decision made at a workshop on cross-border trade and security in July, attended by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, he added.
On the third round of peace talk negotiations with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) on June 13 in Malaysia, Lt Gen Paradorn said it had become clearer what topics would be raised for discussion.
But it would be difficult to follow Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung's suggestion that the time for the talks be shortened, he said. It was not clear how Malaysia and the BRN would respond.
Lt Gen Paradorn said he agreed with the prime minister's decision to assign her secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva and PM's office permanent secretary Tongthong Chandrangsu to set up a panel to study the Central Administrative Court's order that the government reinstate Thawil Pliensri as NSC chief, before deciding whether to appeal the decision.
No matter what the outcome, it would not affect his work as NSC chief and leader of the Thai delegation in the peace talks negotiations with the BRN, he added.