Government allocates 13 billion baht to restore southern peace

BANGKOK, Oct 18 (TNA) -- The government has allocated about 13 billion baht in fiscal 2018 to restore peace in the deep South as situations are improving there, said Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr. He said the budget will go to 78 projects and 85 activities implemented by 54 organizations as senior authorities have been visiting southern border provinces to push for such projects. Of the 13-billion-baht budget, the biggest portion of 6 billion baht was set for security operations, followed by 2 billion baht for local development, and 1 billion baht for policy implementation. Although violent attacks continued in the region because the government was unable to control groups of different opinions, the number of such attacks was declining, Gen Udomdej said. Development projects were proceeding well to meet people’s demands in the far South and the Foreign Ministry was informing the international community of the progress, he said. Gen Udomdet also said that the budget might seem huge but without such efforts the country could lose the part of its territory. The Prime Minister’s Office and organizations under its jurisdiction obtained the biggest part of the budget, 3.9 billion baht. (TNA)