Bt600 million in southern security ‘solutions’ get Cabinet approval
The Cabinet on Tuesday allocated Bt599.91 million to nine security projects in the southern border provinces in a bid to curb the ethnic Malay insurgency.
A committee led by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan tasked with finding solutions to the conflict proposed the following expenditures:
* Bt11.236 million to establish a central online database for security agencies
* Bt9.625 million to take aerial photos
* Bt396.55 million to establish village defence volunteer units in 60 more tambon
* Bt33.23 million for a Pracharat-Yalannan Baru project under the Internal Security Operations Command to combat drug abuse in 1,300 villages
* Bt10.283 million to follow up on existing security matters
* Bt24.435 million to foster community strength, sustainability and prosperity
* Bt9 million for a river ferry on the Malaysian border in Narathiwat
* Bt80 million to encourage public participation in finding solutions to the insurgency
* Bt25.54 million for operating expenses of Prawit’s committee and its southern offices.
