Thai Troops could be asked to provide security to fruit growers in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand during the harvest season for longong, which runs from September to December.

Fourth Army troops have been asked to provide security as fruit is taken from orchards to the market.

''We plan to send our teams to protect growers when they collect their fruit in dangerous areas. Normally, we would provide security at the central market,” group captain Anudith Nakornthap, secretary to the defence minister, said.

Last year, buyers refused to come to orchards to buy the fruit because of daily attacks, which pushed down fruit prices. This year, the authority has decided to set up 20 central market places, five of them in Yala, another five in Pattani, and 10 in Narathiwat, to help.

“To help the fruit growers, we have asked for cooperation from the military. The Market Organisation for Farmers (MOF) and the Commerce Ministry's internal trade department will be responsible for buying and distributing the fruit,'' said agriculture and co-operatives minister Sudarat Keyuraphan

Buyers safety has been assured if they buy products in a central marketplace.

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