But in the provinces opposition is heating up, with politicians in Phuket, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nakhon Ratchasima and Nakhon Sawan demanding the draft legislation be scrapped.

Paiboon, who is also social development and human security minister, said the disagreement over the bill with Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya would be sorted out.

He insisted yesterday that a  solution will be found, he said.

A limited discussion on the bill was held yesterday ahead of a larger meeting on Friday.

Paiboon denied his recent appointment of a national committee on local community restoration was a bid to push the bill. He said the committee was planned before the bill was drafted and was a joint effort by both ministries and related agencies. The 39-member committee - chaired by Paiboon with the Community Organisation Development Institute director as secretary - is responsible for strategies and guidelines on the restoration of local communities and the drafting of plans to support the implementation of these strategies.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, Withoon Chatprathimapong, who heads the Provincial Administrative Organisation Presidents' Association of Thailand, said the association was against the bill.

The legislation will create disunity, is redundant and a waste of money, he said.

Opposition was also demonstrated in Phuket, Muang, Kathu, Thalang, in Nong Bua Lamphu in the Northeast, and in Nakhon Sawan. Most argued that local administrative officials did well in community development and the bill would create conflict and redundancy in existing administrative organisations.