Sat, May 25, 2013 12:37:52 PM
Bangkok Post
Sat, May 25, 2013 12:37:52 PM
Bangkok Post
From lucky draws to coupon giveaways and officials showing up in person to sell fish, everything possible is being done to revive Friday trade in the troubled southern provinces.
Most shops and vendors' stalls in Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and four districts of Songkhla remained open for business, but under heavy guard. It was the second Friday running that they have defied the implied threats by extremist militants to remain shut on the Muslim sabbath.
Today was the first day of the government's Happy Friday campaign, under which municipal officials are sent to mingle with vendors and their customers to assure them that they are safe.
Both uniformed and undercover police were deployed to provide security for people at the markets in the far South.
As an incentive for vendors opening their shops, Yala municipality has introduced a draw campaign with prizes are 5,000, 3,000 and 2,000 baht.
Employees of these shops can take part in the draw to win gold chains and 1,000 baht cash. Five gold chains are given away every week.
Pithak Korkiatpitak, the Mayor of Pattani's Muang district, along with municipal officials, handed out coupons at the market. Recipients can redeem them to buy fresh goods.
"Blue Flag" goods, part of a regular Commerce Ministry programme to offer essentials at low prices, have also attracted people to come out and shop, Mr Pithak said.
He said this Friday was better than last week. People were more confident that the authorities could take care of them, the mayor added.
Chamnul Muendam, the Sungai Kolok district chief in Narathiwat, even opened a fish stall at the market in the border district after suppliers refused to bring seafood to retailers on Fridays.
"This is to help buyers and give confidence to people in the district," the official said.
Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said in Bangkok that Friday trade was on course to return to normal after campaigns by the government and officials on the ground to counter insurgents' threats.
"If the situation remains this way, everything will be fully back to normal no later than the middle of next month," Gen Yutthasak said.
