Cabinet set for Songkhla with eye on development

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In: South-East Asia

Border trade, west coast best agenda

PUBLISHED: 13 Feb 2025 at 05: 03

Tourists queue at the Sadao border checkpoint in Songkhla province during the Songkran festival in April last year. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)
During the Songkran event in April of last year, travelers scurry at the Sadao border station in Songkhla state. ( Photo: Assawin Pakkawan )

Following Tuesday, the government’s first mobile cabinet meeting will be held in Songkhla, with special attention given to the development of the eastern coast of the southwestern region and the border industry hub between Thailand and Malaysia.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the government will attend Phatthalung and Songkhla regions on Monday and Tuesday, according to a spokesman for the government Jirayu Houngsub on Wednesday.

He said Ms Paetongtarn has instructed ministers to attend local communities in the South to listen to challenges locals are facing in order to drive forward policies, including the reform of crops, production of high-value crops, promotion of responsible high-value tourism, professional development, the bio-circular-green economy (BCG) and cross-border trade.

” These laws are aimed at enhancing the market, culture and environment in the southeastern provinces. Moreover, the prime minister will examine disaster recovery efforts in the region”, he said.

Ms. Paetongtarn may check the water administration in Songkhla Lake on Monday, with a focus on flood and drought management, according to Mr. Jirayu.

She will then travel to Thailand’s Singha Nakhon city of Songkhla to learn about issues and suggestions regarding the seafood production and export processes.

After that, Ms. Paetongtarn may travel to Songkhla Old Town to examine boosting tourism and introducing new attractions.

The first official smart cabinet meeting this year will be held on Tuesday at Prince of Songkla University in Songkhla’s Hat Yai area, according to Mr. Jirayu.

She may travel to the Sadao customs station to see borders trade between Thailand and Malaysia and follow the progress of a fresh road connecting that to Malaysia’s Bukit Kayu Hitam station following the meeting.

The prime minister is focusing on analyzing the development of development initiatives along the Gulf of Thailand’s east coast to ensure that the government’s policies may produce tangible results.

This mobile cabinet meeting will [help ] identify opportunities and difficulties that have arisen over the past few years in an effort to develop the region, which has potential for both national and global projects, according to Mr. Jirayu.