http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;sessionid=DLS1YGYOAZ5SPQFIQMFSM5WAVCBQ0JVC?xml=/news/2004/12/06/worig06.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/12/06/ixportal.html&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=75387About 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.
The governor of Yala province promised residents who collected 50,000 birds a bicycle, a table fan to those who picked up 10,000, and 2.2lb of sugar for 250.
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