Sa Kaeo: The Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Commerce to restrict the import quota for cassava and other agricultural products. This move aims to boost domestic prices and alleviate economic pressures on Thai farmers. The decision followed the Prime Minister's visit to Sa Kaeo, where she assessed the impacts of reopening and closing the border checkpoints with Cambodia.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra, accompanied by her team, made a visit to Aranyaprathet School in Sa Kaeo Province. During her visit, she led discussions on the effects of border operations between Thailand and Cambodia. The meeting saw participation from high-ranking officials, including Gen. Nattapol Nakphanit, Minister of Defense, and other key representatives from various ministries and departments.
Mr. Prinya Phothisat, Governor of Sa Kaeo Province, provided a detailed report on the current security situation, trade dynamics, and crime prevention efforts following the border measures. He noted that, while agricultural imports such as cassava would remain unaffected, there is a need to review quotas to benefit Thai farmers. The Governor also proposed reconsidering the exemption of fees for Cambodian nationals returning during the Songkran festival and suggested postponing commemorative events marking Thai-Cambodian relations.
Prime Minister Paethongtarn acknowledged the issues raised and emphasized the importance of empowering local authorities to address regional challenges effectively. She expressed her gratitude to all sectors for their efforts in managing border issues and reiterated the necessity of peaceful resolutions to trade and security concerns.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the urgency of reviewing and adjusting agricultural import quotas to ensure the domestic market remains favorable for local producers. She instructed the Ministry of Commerce to evaluate procurement measures and collaborate with the Chamber of Commerce to resolve bottlenecks affecting seasonal products like durian and mangosteen.
In her address, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of suppressing transnational crimes and reviewed the government's role in supporting affected industries. She called for a transparent, rapid response to public grievances and urged a reconsideration of outdated bureaucratic processes to expedite assistance.
Business representatives expressed concerns over logistical challenges and product damages due to border closures. They requested government intervention to mitigate economic losses and ensure smooth transportation routes. The Prime Minister assured that these issues would be reviewed, with local MPs and security agencies involved in finding solutions.
The visit concluded with an interaction with students at Aranyaprathet School, where the Prime Minister encouraged academic excellence and praised the students' communication skills.