The Cabinet agreed yesterday to outlay Bt400 million as "seed funding" for development in the five southernmost provinces, plus nearly Bt1 billion for closed-circuit television cameras.

The predominantly Muslim provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat will receive Bt100 million each as a revolving fund through the state-run Krung Thai Bank and Government Savings Bank for development and job creation projects, Labour Minister Apai Chandanachulaka said.

Satun and Songkhla would get Bt50 million each, as they had suffered less violence, he said.

The budget was expected to generate income and create jobs for graduates. If there was a labour shortage, the ministry would allow foreign workers, Apai said.

The military-installed government has announced a special development zone in the five provinces, granting tax incentives for investors in the restive areas, as a move to contain violence and social trauma there.

A spate of violence erupted in early 2004 and nearly 2,000 people have been killed in the three years since. The government believes that unemployed youngsters become involved in violence or participate in militant activities because of frustration over work prospects and the local crisis.

The government also plans to install closed-circuit television cameras to limit militant activity in 42 districts of the five provinces. The Cabinet also approved Bt972 million for CCTVs, spokesperson Netprecha Chumchaiyo said.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont will visit the deep South on Thursday to meet village heads to consult on measures to contain the violence.

Seri Nimayu, president of the Narathiwat Village Heads group, said he would submit confidential information to the premier to tell him the truth about the crisis.