Council for National Security (CNS) chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin yesterday explained that his suggestion to extend the term for village heads and kamnan from five to 10 years was just a proposal for further review.

Sonthi, who is also the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army, said he hoped academics would conduct nationwide research to determine whether this proposal was good.

He was responding to criticism against his suggestion.

"The Army has found that the term length is a factor affecting the operations of village heads and kamnans in the three southernmost provinces. So, we believe they will be able to work more efficiently if they have a longer term," Sonthi said.

He dismissed an argument that a longer term would give the village heads and kamnans the opportunity to become too powerful.

"There are check-and-balance mechanisms in place. There are also tambon administrative organisations at local level," he added.

Sonthi believed if village heads and kamnans were stronger and more determined, drug problems and deforestation could be eliminated.

However, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva warned that a longer term for these officials would send a confusing signal to the country that had embraced decentralisation.

"The three southernmost provinces have unique circumstances.

"If appropriate, the government and CNS should consider providing some benefits or measures to aid the security-maintenance role of the village heads and kamnans there," Abhisit said.

The Campaign for Popular Democracy secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila also pointed out that the strength of the village heads and kamnans did not lie with the length of their term, but rather their acceptance by local people.

"If they are widely popular, they can be re-elected," he said.

Naris Khamnurak, a Democrat ex-MP, said the CNS's image would be adversely affected if the term of village heads and kamnans were extended.

Meanwhile, Akapol Sorasu-chart, a National Legislative Assembly member, expressed concerns that some ill-intentioned people were spreading rumours that the proposed extension of local officials' terms in office was an attempt by the CNS to cling to power.

"I believe the CNS came up with the proposal in order to help maintain security and public order. There is no hidden agenda. What concerns me is that some people try to politicise the issue in a bid to create social divisions," he said.

Akapol said the five-year term for village heads and kamnans was appropriate, but their functions and job responsibilities should be increased.