Put southern autonomy idea to the public

Under his proposal, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat would have some degree of autonomy – like the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Pattaya City – but would still come under the control of central government. He says that this new form of government would not lead to secession in the southern region any more than the BMA or Pattaya are seeking to secede just because they have some autonomy.

I agree with his proposal, for that would be in keeping with one of former prime minister Anand Panyarachun’s seven pillars of sustainable democracy – that of decentralisation. But I recall that then-candidate Yingluck loudly proclaimed that once elected, she would implement exactly what Chalerm is now equally loudly proposing – only to renege on her promise once she found that the southerners didn’t fall for her sweet words.

As the saying goes, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” Why should the southerners believe Pheu Thai anymore than they did before this government took office? As John Mitchell said: “Watch what we do, not what we say.” 

Deputy PM Chalerm, put your money where your mouth is: open the topic for debate in Parliament and across the land, and implement whatever the consensus is.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok