Modeled "Triangle City" developed in Thai Far South

NARATHIWAT, THAILAND, November 16 (TNA) - Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr is visiting the Thai Far South to follow up progress of a modeled city project, aimed to stimulate the local economy and to raise the quality of life of people in the violence-plagued southernmost Thai region. In his capacity as the head of the Thai Cabinet's forward command, General Udomdej led government representatives to visit Narathiwat Province on Wednesday, where he chaired a meeting on progress of the modeled city project, dubbed the “Triangle of Stability, Prosperity and Sustainability”, in which Secretary-General of Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) Supanat sirantawineti and Narathiwat Governor Sitthichai Sakda also participated. The Thai Cabinet has approved a total state budget of over five billion baht for the 2017-2020 fiscal year since August 2 for development projects in three selected southernborder provinces. Part of the overall earmarked budget, or 532 million baht, has been allocated to Narathiwat to implement three development projects in the present 2017 fiscal year, which started from October 1, 2016. Under the modeled city project, new economic models will be introduced in designated districts of the three provinces, including Nong Chik in Pattani, Su-ngai Kolok in Narathiwat and Betong in Yala. Nong Chik will be developed as a modeled city for agro-industry, Su-ngai Kolok for an international border trade zone and Betong for self-reliant development on a sustainable basis. (TNA)