Nong Chik proposed as third leg of ‘triangle economy’

Nong Chik district of Pattani has been proposed as one of the areas to implement the government’s “triangle” economy model which will focus on industrial and infrastructure investments as tools to resolve violence in the deep South.

Deputy Education Minister Surachet Chaiwong, who also serves as deputy chief of the new special government delegation to coordinate security work in the far South, yesterday said Nong Chik district was selected as it provides a link for Songkhla’s Hat Yai district to Yala and Narathiwat, the other two legs of the economic model.

Gen Surachet flew to Pattani yesterday to meet with provincial governor Veeranan Pengchan to prepare for the meeting of the delegation early next month.

All three southern provinces were instructed to work on their economic road maps which will be proposed to the delegation in the meeting.

Gen Surachet said industrial development in Nong Chik district will centre on livestock and agricultural product processing such as oil palm, rice and fruits.

As for a plan to develop Bo Thong airport, which is currently being used for military purposes, into a commercial airport, Gen Surachet said even though the scheme was raised by local residents, its feasibility needs to be studied further as the project might affect burial grounds behind the airport.

Meanwhile, army commander Chalermchai Sitthisart yesterday paid a visit to the deep South, laying down a seven-point framework for all security units to follow in bringing peace and security to the violencetorn region.

Gen Chalermchai, also deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), met with commanders of the task forces and received work reports at the Sirindhorn army camp in Pattani’s Yarang district.

The army chief also inspected the work done by the security camera command centre at the forward command of Isoc Region 4.

Isoc spokesman Col Pirawat Saengthong said the army commander told all units to focus on seven points which, if they materialised, would effectively resolve the southern insurgency.

The seven points were: Creating a safe environment for living; integrating intelligence operations; fixing conflicts and conditions that might lead to violence; creating an environment conducive to peace dialogues; promoting development and building capacity for local people and communities; promoting better understanding; and engaging all sectors in problemsolving efforts.

Security authorities were also encouraged to help create an environment that would allow the government to proceed with development schemes to improve their living conditions.

They agreed use of force and security measures should applicable only for target groups and areas.