BANGKOK, Thailand – National Security Council (NSC) Secretary General Paradorn Pattanathabut said Thursday (June 6th) that the government is considering declaring three Deep South provinces a special administrative region, local media reported.

Paradorn said a public opinion survey will be conducted about special administration status for Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, similar to those in Bangkok, Pattaya and Mae Sod district in Tak province, MCOT Online reported.

He added that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has already instructed security officials to quickly boost infrastructure and safety measures for people in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.

Separately, The Bangkok Post reported that Paradorn said security agencies proposed lifting all forms of martial law in a total of 31 border provinces, keeping only the Internal Security Act in force, ahead of the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community slated for late 2015.