The Interior Ministry is expected to ask the Cabinet to approve an amendment to the local government act BE 2457 to extend the term of kamnans (tambon chiefs) and village headmen so that they can stay in office until 60.

Currently village heads and kamnan are elected for five-year terms.

The proposed ministry amendment to the 1914 law will see officials continue to be elected, but once they are elected they remain in office until they reach mandatory retirement at 60.

Council for National Security leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said in December that elected kamnan (tambon chiefs) and village heads should enjoy terms in office longer than four years so their work was not interrupted.

His remarks, however, drew sharp criticism and were seen as a politically motivated bid to woo support from tens of thousands of local officials following the coup.

Last month Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont also voiced support for the extension of local officials' terms from five to 10 years.

Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboonyesterday  declined to comment on the proposed extension of kamnan and village headmen's term, saying he would wait for further details.

Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University dean of political science Tawee Sutharitkul said the proposed amendment could lead to redundancies in local administration.

"We already have or bor tor [tambon-administrative-organisation presidents] responsible for local administrative work," he said. The government will probably face severe criticism if it presses for the passage of the amendment, he added.

Other critics have said the current terms of office are "suitable" since these officials can be re-elected if voters are happy with their performance, whereas longer terms of office may breed corruption and abuse of power, especially in general elections, where these officials

are often canvassers for political parties.