The Government has encouraged educational institutions in the southern border provinces to use research and innovations in advancing the development of the deep South, improving local people’s quality of life, and strengthening economic stability.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Karom Polpornklang stated that the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation is supporting educational institutions in the deep South, especially through the Program Management Unit, in making use of research, innovations, and the creative economy for local development.

He said that the ministry is well aware that investment in human resource development in response to demand of the country is the best of all investments. It wants universities to work with local communities, the public and private sectors, and civil society for area-based development to reduce disparities and tackle various problems.

Mr. Karom pointed out that the southern border provinces are rich in marine resources and the fisheries industry is a major sector in moving the local economy forward. Another strength of the deep South is that it connects with many Muslim countries.

Meanwhile, the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) is working with four local universities in developing its “International Language Institute of Southern Border Provinces.” The four universities include Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, Princess of Naradhiwas University, Yala Rajabhat University, and Fatoni University.

SBPAC established the language institute in 2022 to promote the use of foreign languages as a major mechanism to develop the southern border provinces. Emphasis is placed on developing skills in six languages, namely Thai, English, Malay, Arabic, Chinese, and Turkish. 

The International Language Institute of Southern Border Provinces has been coordinating with local and foreign agencies in carrying this project, aimed at developing language skills for young people in the deep South. The objective is to provide them with greater job and income opportunities and to meet the demand of the global labor market, especially in the Muslim world.

The institute has also launched a program to develop the skills of the Thai language for graduates from the deep South who had completed education abroad and are preparing to enter the labor market in Thailand.