The move is seen as an attempt to ease local residents’ opposition against the plan.

“I think one month is an adequate timeframe,” Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said on Thursday.

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) established the 17-member committee last Thursday, and tasked it with listening to southerners and educating them about the energy situation in the country.

“The government cannot meet the energy demand. We will have to discuss the issue with people,” Prawit said.

Army chief General Chalermchai Sittisart, who is also NCPO secretary-general, chairs the committee.

“We will hold forums to listen to the opinions of locals in Krabi, Songkhla and Surat Thani provinces on March 27,” he said.

He said the forums would be aimed at promoting mutual understanding and gathering information.

“We will then forward information to the NCPO chief,” Chalermchai said. “Our committee is not in charge of making the final decision.”