Srettha fires back: Defends overseas trips amid criticism

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin staunchly defended his international excursions and trips to neighbouring nations, asserting their vital role in ramping up foreign investment in Thailand and fostering stronger regional ties.

Addressing critics head-on, the 62 year old PM justified his frequent forays into provinces to tackle local issues, such as combating the PM2.5 airborne pollution blighting Chiang Mai.

Responding to senators’ accusations of governmental under-performance on the opening day of the Senate’s general debate, PM Srettha maintained composure, stressing that despite his mere seven months in office, he remained unfazed. He contrasted this with the Senate’s previous silence during the tenure of former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Dismissive of allegations labelling him as a mere salesman on his overseas jaunts, the Thai PM clarified that specialised government teams were actively courting multinational corporations for investments in Thailand’s mega projects. He underscored the intricate decision-making process, noting the substantial investment sums involved.

Undeterred by geographical constraints, the Bangkok-born PM asserted his ability to efficiently manage state affairs remotely, leveraging cutting-edge communication technologies.

Promising transparency, PM Srettha revealed plans for a press conference by the Board of Investment and Thai trade representatives to unveil foreign investment updates during his tenure, reported Thai PBS World.

In a commitment to tackling the informal debt crisis, the Thai PM outlined ongoing initiatives, urging debtors to step forward and report their issues. Acknowledging persistent challenges, he pledged unwavering dedication until resolutions were achieved.

ORIGINAL STORY: PM Srettha pledges two-month Thailand stay amid travel criticism

In the face of mounting public criticism over his frequent overseas travels, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has vocally committed to staying put in Thailand for the next two months. The announcement was made via his Twitter account, highlighting that he had taken on board the citizens’ concerns and was grateful for their feedback.

“I will not be travelling abroad from March 14 to May 15. I have listened to your concerns and I will be visiting the Mor Chit bus terminal, a hub for our low-income citizens. However, I maintain that my foreign trips are always in the nation’s best interest.”

This statement is believed to be a direct response to a recent article published in the Prachachart Thurakij newspaper by columnist Sorakol Adulyanont. Sorakol had appealed to the prime minister to focus more on domestic issues, suggesting visits to the bus terminal or inspections of the fire-fighting operations in the northern region currently battling severe dust pollution.

Sorakol further reminded the prime minister of his own words, emphasising that a true leader must be willing to hear the voices of the people, regardless of whether they are hard to digest.

Critics, notably including Senator Somchai Sawangkarn, have expressed disapproval of the 62 year old prime minister’s frequent foreign excursions.

“Could our prime minister be setting a global record for the most overseas trips by a country’s leader? The pressing question remains: What results have these trips yielded?”

It has been reported that the Bangkok-born Srettha has spent nearly 30% of his time in office over the past six months travelling; totalling 15 overseas trips. His most recent trips included visits to Germany and France, in addition to an official trip to Australia. During the Australian trip, he participated in the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit held in Melbourne, reported Bangkok Post.

Despite the criticism, the Thai prime minister remains steadfast in his stance that these trips are crucial for promoting investment and tourism in Thailand.