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SPECIAL REPORT
Progressive farm provides support, security for Pattani villagers
Thanapat Kitjakosol
The Sunday Nation

A couple of farmers show how fish is fermented at the Ban Nam Dam demonstration farm.

PATTANI: -- With the ongoing unrest in the South and the risks it can pose for people, Her Majesty the Queen's royally-initiated Ban Nam Dam demonstration farm in Pattani's Nong Chik district, has proved to be an asset - creating jobs for local villagers and increasing their incomes. It also aims to teach farmers the latest techniques in agriculture, effective management as well as cold storage systems, not to mention the production of safe food.

Once farmers are able to implement what they have learned at the demonstration farm on their own farms, they can sell their produce back to the project, thus enabling them to boost their income. This farm has created 3,000 new jobs in the district.

With a safer working environment nearer to home, locals are able to continue their daily routine in relative peace, including taking part in religious ceremonies. For instance, 300 people showed up to take part in the "Ching Pret" merit-making ceremony on September 19 at Wat Sunantharam (Nam Dam) in tambon Puloh Puyo.

Villager Pulsap Theprat, 45, said that before the project was established, villagers lived in constant fear of violence.

Some wanted to move elsewhere and the temple was practically abandoned. However, once security officials were on hand, the violent incidents dropped in number.

Easing hardships

"Without this project, the village would have been emptied. Now, even those who left are coming back because they believe the project works," she said, adding that she earned Bt150 a day from the farm.

Like other villagers, she is able to earn extra from selling some of her vegetables to the project - a change that has made life much more comfortable. Some villagers have also joined the Army as defence volunteers so they can feel safer.

Pulsap said the government should introduce more security measures as the community had already lost many people to the violence, including teachers.

Wanpen Kaewkohkiat, a member of the Wat Sunantharam committee, said the farm helped people work closer to home, which cut down on the risk of being attacked.

After the working day is over at 4pm, villagers have plenty of time to go back and tend to their vegetables and livestock. "If we work hard, we can earn more from working at the project, than we can as a regular farmhand with a fixed salary."

Wilai Reung-rit, chief of the Ban Nam Dam's food-processing unit, said farm was also turning to products like fermented fish, which is one of the best sellers going at Bt35 per pack. Other lucrative products include crispy snacks, chilli paste and salted eggs.

The farm, which began operations in 2006, also includes the Southern Teachers' Centre school, a sports field, library and teachers' quarters, all situated in its 220-rai compound. School director Serm Yodrat said the ongoing violence was affecting teachers badly, which is why Her Majesty decided to establish a centre for teachers and their families so they can be safe behind tight security.

"Teachers don't have to go out except when they go to teach and they are escorted to and from school by soldiers," he said.

General Teerapong Srirattanakul, who oversees royally-initiated projects in Pattani, said the 21 demonstration farms in the provinces provided aid to those affected by the unrest. He said some farms housed Muslim farmers, while some included Buddhists. He said the project taught community leaders to help provide security and prevent attacks. Since 2004, when unrest broke out in the deep South, there have been no attacks on the project.

-- The Nation 2013-10-06

[kiwiinasia]

"Teachers don't have to go out except when they go to teach and they are escorted to and from school by soldiers," he said.

mmm says it all for me.

[HerbalEd]

"Teachers don't have to go out except when they go to teach and they are escorted to and from school by soldiers," he said.

mmm says it all for me.

And what does it say, pray tell? It's no news that teachers have been targeted by the terrorists in the south.

Personally I have a tremendous respect for those teachers who've remained and risk their lives to teach.