The Thai cabinet approved a 396-million baht budget from the Central Fund today (Tuesday) to procure 150 armour-plated pickup trucks, to replace the aging vehicles currently deployed in the restive Deep South.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said that the armoured vehicles will be one-tonne diesel pick-up trucks, designed to withstand bomb shrapnel and bullets, with bullet-proof windows and the suspension system enhanced to support the additional weight of the armour plating.

She said that the 216 armoured pickup trucks currently in use have been in service in the three southernmost provinces for over 12 years and many of them are worn out and overweight, due to the addition of armour-plating without modification of the suspension system.

She also said that the new trucks will boost the morale of security forces and provide them with better protection.