Thailand's foreign minister and his Malaysian counterpart signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Bangkok to boost cooperation between the two countries in ending the unrest in Thailand's three southern border provinces.

Thai foreign minister Nitya Pibulsonggram and Malaysia's Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar co-chaired the 10th meeting of the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Commission (JCM) to promote future bilateral cooperation and to follow up several existing projects.

The meeting on Friday focuses on confidence-building measures to solve the unrest in Thailand's three southern border provinces through education, employment and entrepreneurship in a bid to develop society and the economy in the three southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat as well as to bring justice to the troubled region as an effective way to address the problem at its root causes.

The foreign ministers of the two countries on Friday also presented certificates to 34 Thai young people, who underwent occupational training in Malaysia.

The project is the first time of its kind under the framework of the Joint Development Strategy for Border Areas (JDS).

The border areas cooperation covers Thai five southern border provinces and Malaysia's five northern states of Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, and Terengganu to raise the standard of living of local residents and increase potential in economy and employment.

The second group of 16 Thai youngsters will travel to the occupational training institute (GIATMARA) in Malaysia from July 1 to December 30.

Thailand is hosting the JCM in Bangkok from June 27-29. (TNA)

- By Bangkok Post Agencies

Jun 30, 2007