BANGKOK, Aug 8 – Their Majesties the King and Queen have been concerned about people in all troubled areas across the country, including the violence-plagued southernmost region, and as a result the royally-sponsored Chaipattana Foundation has been asked to create more jobs to improve the livelihoods of residents in the region, according to its head.
Sumet Tantivejkul, the foundation’s secretary-general, said on Wednesday that Their Majesties the King and Queen have been most concerned about their subjects in all troubled zones in the country, including the deep South where insurgency has intensified since 2004.
Their Majesties requested the Chaipattana Foundation to help address the problems in the southernmost region by focusing on job creation to improve the living conditions of residents there.
The foundation has promoted jobs involving creating embroidery, baking and handicrafts, particularly Muslim hijab, or women’s headscarves as occupations for women, while the foundation has offered motorcycle mechanic training for men, Dr Sumet explained.
In addition, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, as the foundation’s executive chairperson, assisted youth in the southern border region by granting scholarships to local students on the condition that recipients must return to work in their communities after graduation.
Regarding ways to resolve the ongoing regional unrest, Dr Sumet admitted that the southern problems were complicated and involved several agencies.
To fight the southern problems effectively, relevant agencies are needed to integrate their works in terms of procedures, measures and manpower.
