ID :
84237
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 13:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/84237
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Deputy PM in South pushes development as antidote to southern insurgency
YALA, Oct 12 (TNA) - Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban on Monday visited the country's restive southern province of Yala to follow up implementation of the Abhisit government's development policy to improve the standard of living of local people there.
Mr Suthep's visit follows last week’s twin bomb attacks in Narathiwat which left three people dead and many others wounded.
As minister charged with overseeing national security, Mr Suthep earlier affirmed that the government’s policy toward resolving the southern problems was on the right track, saying its policy structure would not be changed, but there would be some minor adjustments to enable the policy to be implemented more effectively.
Mr Suthep, accompanied by Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda, met with concerned agencies Monday morning regarding the government's project aimed at improving the quality of life and raising the income of local residents in five southern border provinces. The overall project is valued at 63 billion baht.
The deputy premier said that the government expects the three-year project will being each family to earning levels of at least 120,000 baht ($3,600) per year.
He said local community leaders and residents will take part in the selection of poor families to be eligible for the project, citing that this approach will allow assistance to directly reach people who are really in trouble.
"Despite the huge amount (of money) in the project, I'm not worried about corruption as we allow local residents to decide and operate the project by themselves, " said Mr Suthep. "Everything will be done transparently, all details of the project and budget will be published and public."
The deputy premier reiterated the selection of project participants must be justified and fair. He said it is better for local people to choose project participants than to let the government do this job.
"When the project has been implemented for a time, we will evaluate whether the improved quality of life results in a decreased insurgency and violence in the region," said Mr Suthep.
"But please believe that if local people are happy and have better quality of life, they will not support insurgents,” he said emphatically.
While the deputy premier is on mission in Yala, a combined force of 300 police and military personnel raided targeted areas including a school in Narathiwat's Ba Cho district to search for suspected insurgents.
About 60 students and religious teachers at the Saengtham Witthaya School were detained for investigation and to examine whether explosive traces are detected on their bodies. (TNA)
Mr Suthep's visit follows last week’s twin bomb attacks in Narathiwat which left three people dead and many others wounded.
As minister charged with overseeing national security, Mr Suthep earlier affirmed that the government’s policy toward resolving the southern problems was on the right track, saying its policy structure would not be changed, but there would be some minor adjustments to enable the policy to be implemented more effectively.
Mr Suthep, accompanied by Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda, met with concerned agencies Monday morning regarding the government's project aimed at improving the quality of life and raising the income of local residents in five southern border provinces. The overall project is valued at 63 billion baht.
The deputy premier said that the government expects the three-year project will being each family to earning levels of at least 120,000 baht ($3,600) per year.
He said local community leaders and residents will take part in the selection of poor families to be eligible for the project, citing that this approach will allow assistance to directly reach people who are really in trouble.
"Despite the huge amount (of money) in the project, I'm not worried about corruption as we allow local residents to decide and operate the project by themselves, " said Mr Suthep. "Everything will be done transparently, all details of the project and budget will be published and public."
The deputy premier reiterated the selection of project participants must be justified and fair. He said it is better for local people to choose project participants than to let the government do this job.
"When the project has been implemented for a time, we will evaluate whether the improved quality of life results in a decreased insurgency and violence in the region," said Mr Suthep.
"But please believe that if local people are happy and have better quality of life, they will not support insurgents,” he said emphatically.
While the deputy premier is on mission in Yala, a combined force of 300 police and military personnel raided targeted areas including a school in Narathiwat's Ba Cho district to search for suspected insurgents.
About 60 students and religious teachers at the Saengtham Witthaya School were detained for investigation and to examine whether explosive traces are detected on their bodies. (TNA)
