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Thailand: thai 'Govt proceeds with southern economic plan

2017/03/06

The government has confirmed it is going ahead with a plan to create a "triangle city model" in the three southern border provinces to improve the quality of life in the region and will push for economic increase of 2 billion baht or additional in each one in 2017, government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Sunday.

The "triangle city model" project will turn three districts in the far South — Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat, Betong in Yala and Nong Chik in Pattani — into models of sustainable development in terms of their economy and security.

In Betong, the government is pushing for the construction of at least two community power generating plants using biomass renewable energy, diesel or hydropower.

New tourist attractions will be developed in connection with popular local dishes such as a Betong chicken village and a kueloh fish (Phluang Chompoo fish) village, aiming to attract 1.2 million tourists and generate revenue of at least 2.5 billion baht.

The government is preparing to open a new airport in Betong in early 2019.

In Nong Chik, the government has urged farmers to turn from monoculture to polyculture by growing rice along with oil palm or raising livestock. It has launched a project to create smart farmers and initiate small and medium enterprises to process agricultural produce. The intention is to make it a model city for advanced integrated farming industries.

Lt Gen Sansern said it was intended for Sungai Kolok to become a model city for cross-border trade. The government has introduced an electronic system for use with immigration and customs offices. It is as well considering introducing some tax measures such as setting up business-free shops to spur the trade volume to 4.5 billion baht a year.

He said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has seen the potential of the three border provinces in terms of economic fundamentals and natural resources. So, they should be developed to the highest extent under a diversity of cultures and effective integration.

"The prime minister has stressed that there are a lot of dimensions in solving the insurgency problem in the area, particularly economic increase and education, to enhance the people's quality of life and prevent them from being misguided.

"He has instructed concerned officials to adopt the government's Pracharat (public-private partnership) guidelines to push for various projects in line with the needs of the local people," Lt Gen Sansern said.

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