Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Friday that the government would spend about Bt63 billion to develop the deep South in the four-year development plan starting this year.

He was speaking to government officials after he was briefed on the latest situation in the deep South at the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4.

Suthep said the development project is aimed at increasing income for the local people.

The development projects include developments of deserted farmland.

Local people would also be encouraged to grow palm trees and the Energy Ministry would set up biodiesel plants from palm oil, Suthep said.