By Sebastien Berger, South East Asia Correspondent
(Filed: 06/12/2004)
About 120 million origami birds were air-dropped over southern Thailand yesterday in an attempt to quell a Muslim insurgency that has led to the deaths of more than 500 people this year.
The gesture, heavily promoted by the Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, was intended to show solidarity with the region's inhabitants, but has been derided by critics as pointless and liable to cause a litter problem.
Nonetheless, it seized the popular imagination and the birds, symbols of peace and reconciliation, were folded by millions of people across Thailand, including the cabinet. Mr Thaksin signed his and its finder has been promised a job or a scholarship.
More than 50 military aircraft were involved in the exercise, which began at the auspicious hour of 9.09am.
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