THAILAND - Hat Yai hoteliers appeal for govt help

(TNA), Nov 28 2006

Songkhla's Hat Yai business district has been deeply impacted by the unfolding unrest in the three southern provinces and needs assistance from the government, according to Hat Yai-Songkhla Hoteliers Association chairman Somchart Pimthanapoonporn.

He said that in addition toYala, Pattani and Narathiwat, Songkhla itself was the fourth province affected by the vilolence. He said that as the government is considering extending assistance to the business sector in the three provinces, Songkhla should also be included in the measures.

"The government should consider extending the lifeline to the private business sector in Hat Yai," he said.

The cabinet last week resolved to set up a special development zone in the five southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani, Naratiwat, Songkhla and Satun in an attempt to restore peace in the insurgency-plagued southern border region.

Under the plan, incentives such as tax cuts will be introduced to help businesses and promote industry as well as to create jobs in the region.

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