The procurement of land for a special economic zone in the South will be proposed during a mobile cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Benjathip Choodum, Narathiwat's director of strategic development and information, said the proposal for 12 projects in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat will be presented to the cabinet. The projects are in the areas of infrastructure, trade and investment, development of quality of life, tourism and natural resources and environment, she said, adding that approval will be sought for the purchase of 1,683 rai in Narathiwat.
Terdsak Ranjuan, a Narathiwat agricultural and cooperative officer, said the projects will help boost advanced farming techniques, border trade and business link ups with Asean. While para rubber, palm oil, fishery and fruits are key products, the aim is to also promote these southernmost provinces as eco-tourism destinations.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that though the insurgency in the three provinces has eased, it cannot be entirely eliminated because the violence is sparked by both internal and external powers. He added that Thailand will also have to be self reliant in tackling the conflict as seeking help from others may have a negative effect.
"The insurgency is just like any other internal problem that needs understanding, compassion and compromise to handle it," he said.