SBPC, police seek funds to tackle South problems

SBPAC deputy chief Piya Kijthavorn was appearing before the House committee on border affairs’ meeting to scrutinise the agenda of the SBPAC budget plan for the fiscal year 2014 in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. 

Piya said the agency had asked for the Bt5.085 billion to implement the nine-part strategic plan to tackle, with public participation, the region’s unrest. Southern Border Province Police Bureau (SPB) deputy commander Anurut Krissanakaraket also outlined plans for a Bt1.392 billion police budget allocation for 2013 (plus another fund of Bt298 million from the Internal Security Operations Command). Twenty per cent was spent in the first quarter and another 40 per cent in the second quarter, he said. As for fiscal year 2014, police would get Bt4.505 billion (plus another fund of Bt405 million from ISOC), he said, explaining there was a shortage of 4,000 men to cover the region. The agency had plans to seek 3,600 new members with military training to operate with the Army while the agency also aimed to adopt more technology and install CCTV cameras.Deputy PM Chalerm Yubamrung yesterday said a Pattani metropolitan administration plan was out of the question because Thailand would remain a single state undivided. Chalerm said the National Security Council (NSC) chief Paradorn Pattanathabutr had not suggested tabling the idea in upcoming talks with separatists, and the media had misinterpreted what was said.