The special body will then be developed into the Suvarnabhumi Metropolitan area at a later stage.

It is planned to eventually cover Bangkok's Lat Krabang and Prawet districts as well as Bang Phli district and Bang Sao Thong subdistrict in Samut Prakan.

The area would be equivalent to a province but supervised directly by the prime minister, or a

selected deputy. A 10-member governing body is planned to administer it.

Officials within the four district offices are being invited to join the body on a voluntary basis.

Lat Krabang and Prawet districts would later be granted municipality status and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration required to transfer administrative power over the two districts - before an election to establish a municipal council, within 90 days.

A metropolitan council, a mayor and an advisory council would be set up if and when the body eventually becomes the Suvarnabhumi Metropolitan area. They would work out policies for the area while a clerk and a civil service board would be set up to carry out routine tasks.

The entire metropolitan area would cover a total of 521.7 square kilometres, including 176 sq km currently belonging to the two Bangkok districts, and the other 345sq km area, which is now part of Samut Prakan province.

The bill would also seek urgent approval to employ 380 immigration police, who will work at the airport when it opens in a few months.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation