Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, the national army chief, on Tuesday visited soldiers deployed in the southern border provinces, while Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung will hold a video conference with southern provincial governors on Thursday.
Gen Prayuth said before leaving Bangkok for the deep South that he wanted to thank the soldiers for providing security in the region and will assign them to beef up security during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The army chief said the soldiers can help teach at schools in areas where there are not enough teachers. The issue will be decided by the Education Ministry, he added.
He said the army will continue helping flood-affected people in the far South.
Mr Chalerm, the deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs, said soldiers working as substitutes for teachers killed in the continuing violence is part of the security authorities' strategy.
He said he is looking to integrate all agencies to work together by setting up a video conference with all provincial governors and police officers in the country, particularly those operating in the southern-most provinces.
He is also planning to offer rewards to areas with outstanding security performances and where no reinforcements are needed.