The government will spend more than 20 billion baht in southern border provinces next year to expand its peace-restoration strategy there, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said Monday.
During his visit to Rueso district of Narathiwat province, the deputy prime minister said that the money would fund the implementation of development and security initiatives under the Thung Yang Daeng model in 41 districts of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani and Songkhla provinces.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit, centre, arrives in Narathiwat with Army chief Udomdej Sitabutr to his right on Monday. (Photo by Waedao Harai)
Thung Yang Daeng is a district in Pattani province where several primary schools were torched in October. That prompted authorities to integrate peace-keeping operations and resources. Officials have considered the integration a success and deserving of expansion throughout the violence-plagued deep South.
The Thung Yang Daeng model emphasises public participation in security operations, development initiatives, better alarm and surveillance systems, and public forums.
Gen Prawit discussed the implementation of the model with provincial governors and other local administrators at lower levels in Rueso district on Monday. He said that the implementation of the model was building confidence among local residents.
The defence minister also saw a demonstration of trained and armed defence volunteers who were expected to effectively assist authorities in protecting their villages from insurgent attacks.
He also told local authorities to speed up the construction of 37 roads with a combined distance of 164 kilometres in Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani. He said the roads would bring development to the region and thus improve local situations.
Local defence volunteers demonstrate their combat skills during a visit of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon in Narathiwat on Monday. (Photo by Waedao Harai)