Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Oct. 14 led a high-ranking military delegation to visit insecure southern provinces to speed up socio-economic development projects.

During the visit, Deputy PM Suthep will work with the authorities in five provinces, including Narathiwat, Pattani, Satun, Songkhla and Yala, on the projects, which are expected to create more jobs and income for local people and improve their lives.

The delegation will study the people’s needs and aspirations in order to put forth measures to ensure their involvement in these projects.

Speaking to the press before the trip, Deputy PM Suthep affirmed that the government’s plan to develop the southern region will satisfy local people, thus helping ease tensions and violence in the region.

If these projects are successful, the government will implement other projects in an effort to create equal development among regions nationwide, he said.

In a Cabinet meeting on October 13, the Thai Deputy PM said that the government has decided to impose the Internal Security Act (ISA), replacing the emergency rule previously in effect in southern provinces./.