-Cabinet passes Southern Development Plan On 7 April 2009, the Cabinet approved the draft plan to develop special areas in the 5 southern border provinces from 2009 to 2012. The first priority was to restore the economy in the community level and solve the problems in the 3 southernmost provinces and 4 districts of Songkhla province. Another important priority was to improve developed areas like Songkhla and expand them to other underdeveloped areas. The plan also introduces measures to raise household earnings, areas for growing oil palms, farmlands, quantity of goats and Halal production plants comprehensively. In addition, it seeks to solve land problems, increase water supply in villages and improve roads in Tambons and villages. Regarding security in the restive South, the plan contains projects to ensure safety of people's lives and properties, suppress narcotics, and make people live and work happily. The Cabinet also endorsed in principle the measures to help investors, business operators and villagers in the deep South, including tax cuts and loan extensions