BANGKOK - Thailand said today it was preparing tight security for a cabinet meeting this month in the country's Muslim-majority south which Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will join.

The five provinces bordering Malaysia have been hit by a recent spate of violence including bombings at a hotel and a Buddhist temple and arsons attacks on five schools.

The Dec 21-22 meeting will be held jointly with leaders from Kedah, with Mahathir joining the group on the final day, Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said.