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General News
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2006-12-27 22:30:11-05
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Cabinet funds military buildup for South
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Bangkok, Dec 28: The cabinet on Tuesday approved a 556-million-baht budget to strengthen security forces in the deep South, said government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp. The budget is to fund the so-called "rapid deployment force," which operates the recruitment of almost 14,000 security force to maintain law and order in the southernmost provinces, reports Bangkokpost.com The 13,625 recruits come from the army, navy, air force and police, and are already stationed at secret locations across the kingdom, ready to quell any unrest that may arise, said Mr Yongyuth Mayalarp. "The purpose of this 13,625 strong force... is to secure peace and rule of law and order in our country,'' said Mr Yongyuth. He explained that the force came under the army's authority and served the Council for National Security. "The endorsement was in line with the Council for National Security request to have its own special forces to maintain peace and cope with the situation,'' Mr Yongyuth said. The military fears that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra could try to return to Thailand and that his supporters would rally to oppose the coup. The rapid deployment force began operating early this month, and Mr Yongyuth said they would be dissolved along with the junta, tentatively on September 30 next year, the end of Thai fiscal year.
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