The army chief said he had talked the matter over with Gen Yutthasak yesterday, and the deputy premier said he did not mean to imply that the proposal would be implemented, because it was a matter for the government to decide.
Thailand has already decentralised administrative power through the election of tambon and provincial administration organisations. Provincial governors were still appointed only to represent the central government, Gen Prayuth said.
"More importantly, more than 99 per cent of the people in the area have not called for it (a special administrative zone). Go and ask them and they will say this, unless they are forced to say otherwise. The people in general have not called for it.
"Today, the people have more confidence in the military and the safety of their lives and property. But the other side [those fighting against the government] has tried to erode their confidence in the government and the military. This is simply their line of struggle," Gen Prayuth said.
He said the southernmost provinces already have the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre and Internal Security Operations Command to oversee their administration with several laws, including the emergency decree and Internal Security Act, in effect.
The army chief, whose work concerns national security, said he did not think it necessary to have a special administrative zone for the southern border provinces.