Bangkok: The Prime Minister recently met with sugarcane farmers to discuss and accept proposals regarding sugarcane prices. During this meeting, the Prime Minister assigned the Minister of Industry to address the pricing issue ahead of the upcoming Cabinet meeting. Notably, the Prime Minister refrained from commenting on leaked documents from the Phalang Pracharath Party concerning potential ministerial adjustments. The Cabinet is also anticipated to deliberate on the Thai-Cambodian border dispute prior to the Joint Boundary Commission meeting scheduled for June 14.
According to Thai News Agency, the weekly Cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra. Prior to this meeting, the President of the Thai Sugarcane Farmers Association, along with his team, expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for her continued support of sugarcane farmers. The Prime Minister assured the farmers that the Minister has been diligently addressing their concerns and emphasized the importance of the Prime Minister's backing in resolving the issues. The Prime Minister expressed her commitment to implementing solutions that benefit the populace and urged for a systematic approach to ensure widespread benefit.
During the exchange, farmers requested government assistance in purchasing sugarcane leaves, leading to a light-hearted interaction where the Prime Minister jokingly suggested the farmer should consider a political career, given his negotiating skills. This was followed by a moment of humor when the farmer referred to his son's long tenure as Prime Minister. The meeting concluded with expressions of good wishes and a commemorative photograph.
As the Prime Minister proceeded to Building 1 for the Cabinet meeting, reporters inquired about a document from the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party proposing ministerial adjustments. Despite the document's emergence from a group led by Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Deputy Minister of Commerce, the Prime Minister chose not to respond.
Today's Cabinet meeting agenda includes a possible discussion on strategies for resolving the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. Additionally, the Ministry of Commerce has proposed a negotiation framework aimed at rebalancing trade and establishing a strategic partnership with the United States.
Other notable proposals include the Ministry of Transport seeking approval to modify investment plans and secure additional funding for the suburban railway project, as well as increased special welfare payments for officials in high-risk southern border areas. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives requests funds for flood-affected farmer rehabilitation in 2024, while the Ministry of Interior seeks budget allocations to reduce electricity costs for the public from October to December 2024.
The Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Defense, and Royal Thai Police Office have also put forth various legislative drafts for Cabinet consideration, including measures to combat corruption in the mineral industry and an analysis report on the Corruption Perceptions Index by the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission.
Several Cabinet members, including Ms. Jiraporn Sindhuphrai and Mr. Suchart Chomklin, announced their absence from today's meeting.