PM Paetongtarn visits Phatthalung ahead of Cabinet meeting
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited Phatthalung yesterday, engaging with locals and pledging economic growth ahead of the year’s first mobile Cabinet meeting in Songkhla.
During the first stop of her two-day tour, Paetongtarn visited Thale Noi, a vast wetland in Khuan Khanun district, where she was welcomed by Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong, and Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn.
At the Thale Noi viewpoint, the 38 year old PM fed grass to water buffaloes, inquired about their diet, and encouraged officials to remove weeds from the wetland and repurpose them as compost.
The Thai prime minister also urged local government officials to expand markets for buffalo milk to help villagers generate more income.
Local leaders recalled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s 2004 efforts to develop Songkhla Lake and hoped her administration would continue the progress. A banner at the event read: Thaksin thought in 2005, Paetongtarn continues the policies in 2025.
PM Paetongtarn reassured villagers that the Pheu Thai-led government is committed to nationwide development and improving living standards.
She also watched a presentation on the Chalerm Phrakiart’s 80th Birthday Bridge, Thailand’s longest bridge, built during Thaksin’s tenure to connect Khuan Khanun district with Ranot district, Songkhla, in 2004.
Despite not speaking the southern dialect, the Thai PM expressed her desire to earn the region’s trust.
After departing Thale Noi at 3.30pm, she visited Thai Union Seafood Co Ltd in Singha Nakhon district, Songkhla, before presiding over the mobile Cabinet meeting today, reported The Nation.
PM Paetongtarn stressed the need to strengthen regional economic integration and fortify ASEAN supply chains to drive global economic growth.
In an interview, the Thai leader highlighted ASEAN’s opportunity, under Malaysia’s chairmanship, to accelerate the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to boost regional development.
She reaffirmed her commitment to working closely with Malaysia and other RCEP member states to ensure the agreement is fully utilised and effectively implemented.
Beyond RCEP, she expressed support for Malaysia’s efforts to modernise free trade agreements with external partners and advance the Asian Digital Economy Framework Agreement to further enhance regional economic cooperation.
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