The government's committee for the implementation of policies and strategies to solve problems in southern border provinces on Thursday approved two budgets worth more than 1.2bn baht for development work and security operations in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
Government deputy spokeswoman Sunisa Lertpakawat said the two budgets are worth 453.1 million baht and 771.9 million baht respectively.
Of the 453.1 million baht budget, 77.1 million baht will go toward a project to recruit volunteers to support military, police and administrative officials in providing security for urban communities, while 375.1 million baht will be spent on 42 infrastructure development projects to improve roads, lighting and other public utilities. These projects will be implemented by the Interior Ministry.
The 771.9 million baht budget, proposed by the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), will be spent on operations and weapons for security units operating in the three southern border provinces.
Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok, who chaired today's meeting of the committee, said the Interior Ministry, Tranport Ministry, Isoc and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board had already conducted a survey relating to plans for the construction of roads and installation of lighting systems.
Gen Udomdet Sitabut, the army chief-of-staff, thanked the Energy Ministry for having provided 100 composite-fibre gas tanks to Isoc for use in a trial.
These new gas tanks could help solve the problem of ordinary gas cylinders being used to make bombs, he said.