Phatthalung: The Prime Minister visited the Thale Noi area and promised to address the shallowing problem and eliminate weeds. During her visit, Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra also fed grass to sea buffaloes and expressed a commitment to tackle issues without discrimination. Villagers appreciated the infrastructure work done by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was instrumental in the construction of a road and bridge connecting Phatthalung and Songkhla. The Prime Minister listened to local concerns and assured that she would do more research to help the community.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra inspected various projects before the official cabinet meeting outside the office at the International Convention Center, Prince of Songkla University. The visit was part of a follow-up on inspection activities in the Southern Gulf of Thailand provinces, including Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Surat Thani, and Songkhla, from February 17-18.
The Prime Minister's journey began at Trang Airport, where she was warmly welcomed by students and teachers from Mittraphap School 31. They presented her with a carved wooden dugong, a symbol of Trang Province. The Prime Minister reciprocated with a heartwarming "I Love You" hand symbol for the students.
Further along her itinerary, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Chantarawongthong, Deputy Prime Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Minister of Labor Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, and other local MPs. Upon reaching Thale Noi, she fed grass to water buffaloes and took interest in the names of the buffaloes-Suchart, Buathong, and Thongkwao-remarking on their appeal.
Local farmers took this opportunity to request the Prime Minister's support in promoting Talay Noi buffalo milk products. They highlighted that although production exists, there is no agency to facilitate their distribution or a purchasing center. The Prime Minister showed interest and acknowledged the popularity of buffalo milk in other countries.
The farmers proposed two solutions for the shallow Thale Noi, which the Prime Minister accepted. These included utilizing weeds from the area as fertilizer to generate farmer income and expanding the use of these weeds to develop tourist areas.
Residents expressed hope for successful implementation under Prime Minister Paethongtarn's leadership, referencing former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's achievements in infrastructure. Supporters displayed signs and submitted requests for a bridge across Songkhla Lake to ease travel.
During the visit, the Prime Minister also viewed demonstrations of local OTOP products and engaged warmly with the people, who offered flowers and took selfies with her. A Manora performance by local youth further enriched the cultural atmosphere of the visit. The Prime Minister acknowledged the infrastructural legacy of Thaksin Shinawatra and recorded a video with his image, which was met with applause from attendees.
The Prime Minister assured the public that the government is actively engaging with local issues and emphasized the importance of citizen well-being for national strength. She expressed gratitude for the warm reception and reiterated her commitment to addressing the community's challenges.
As her visit concluded, the Prime Minister urged the public to stay healthy and promised that the government would do its utmost to support them. She asked for continued encouragement and emphasized cooperation between the government and the people. The Prime Minister's convoy then proceeded to Thai Union Seafood Company, with a stop to appreciate the sea buffalo on the Ekkachai Bridge, a project from the Thaksin era.