We reduce the interface diffuseness in phase-field modeling of solidification by localizing the solute redistribution (or latent heat release) into a narrow region within the phase-field interface. The numerical computations on the dendritic solidification in a symmetric case and in an one-sided system yield quantitatively the same results with the standard phase field model and the anti-trapping model [Phys. Rev. Lett. 87 (2001) 115701], respectively, indicating the anomalous interfacial effects in thin interface phase field model can be effectively suppressed. The adoption of the parabolic potential instead of the fourth-order potential makes this model effective in suppressing a spurious attractive interaction between two closely spaced interfaces due to a clear cut of interface region. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.