BANGKOK, Dec 13 – Thailand’s Cabinet on Tuesday announced this season’s official New Year holiday from Dec 31 through Jan 3, while extending the emergency decree another three months in three
southernmost  border provinces.

Government Spokeswoman Thitima Chaisang said the cabinet's resolution to extend the holiday from Dec 31-Jan 2, as approved by the previous administration, was offered as New Year gift to those affected by the flood crisis and to boost tourism and domestic economy.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the weekly meeting asked the Interior Minister to coordinate with the Public Relations Department to promote the use of OTOP products, for flood-affected 1,868 communities in 68 provinces, therefore creating a business improvement of over Bt260 million.

Ms Thitima said mobile cabinet meetings were agreed to be held upcountry once a month in order to receive opinions of local residents.

The decision set next year's first mobile cabinet meeting for Jan 16 in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The premier must be there Jan 15 to speak before Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at the opening ceremony of the International Horticultural Exposition Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011, opening Wednesday and running through March 14, 2012.

In a related matter, Deputy Government Spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said that the Cabinet extended the emergency decree in Thailand's southern border provinces from Dec 20 through March 19 was due to a survey saying residents were satisfied with the decree enforcement.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung ordered police to be on high alert during the upcoming New Year celebration, following a recent bomb attempt near Government Lottery Office.

He asked the public not to be alarmed, adding that officials are ready to respond should there be any bombing incident.

Mr Chalerm said the bomb attempt near Government Lottery Office last week was politically motivated. He said the situation was different from the 2006-2007 Bangkok New Year's Eve bombings, which he claimed had been carried out by the now-disbanded Council of National Security (CNS) which wanted to create situations due to internal conflicts. (MCOT online news)