PM pledges commitment to forest conservation on 4-province tour

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday visited Ratchaburi where he pledged his commitment to forest conservation in Thailand during his four-province tour. The 62 year old Thai prime minister urged relevant agencies to meticulously review public requests for the utilisation of forested areas.

PM Srettha emphasised the significance of land rights in improving the living conditions of the populace. However, he noted that managing forest areas is a nuanced and intricate issue requiring careful deliberation.

He expressed these sentiments during a briefing by provincial governor Kiattisak Trongsiri, which included proposals for Ratchaburi’s development, encompassing requests for forest land use.

Out of 5,841 requests, 293 have been approved, 187 rejected, and 2,961 are currently under review. The remaining applications require supplementary documentation. The governor acknowledged the challenges faced by authorities, such as overlapping jurisdiction and uncertain forest land status.

The Bangkok-born prime minister implored the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Interior Ministry, and the military to investigate this issue. He stipulated that any approvals must be consistent with the law, but warned against implementing laws that deprive citizens of essential land for their livelihood.

Thavisin also encouraged the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Commerce to assist farmers in improving the quality of aromatic coconuts and expanding their market reach.

He highlighted the economic potential of aromatic coconuts, a popular crop in foreign markets, with an annual value of 20 billion baht.

He stressed the role of education in combating inequality, reminiscing his visits to Ratchaburi during his tenure in the private sector. He noted that over one million children were excluded from the education system and had urged large corporations to offer educational opportunities to the youth.

He recalled that his former company had chosen Ratchaburi due to the lack of such programmes there. On the topic of tourism, PM Srettha proposed the development of Khao Hin Ngo Park into a provincial landmark to attract tourists and stimulate the local economy, reported Bangkok Post.