Any attempt by a future government to abolish the system of the Interior Ministry appointing village representatives up to provincial level – and replacing it with the election of local leaders – will be vehemently opposed, the influential Governing Officer Association of Thailand (GOAT) said yesterday.

GOAT, composed of both retired and serving members of the Interior Ministry, claims the Kingdom will “disintegrate” if local people who are “not ready” are allowed to choose their own village headmen, district chiefs and governors.

They also believe it is not appropriate to decide on the matter through a nationwide referendum.

Read more: The Nation