BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will lead the first mobile Cabinet meeting of the year in Songkhla on February 18, with an emphasis being placed on economic development, agriculture, fisheries, and tourism in Southern Thailand. Ahead of the meeting, she will visit Phatthalung on February 17 to review key projects, including water management in the Songkhla Lake Basin and efforts to strengthen the region’s seafood industry.
Government ministers will conduct field visits and engage with local communities to address regional challenges. Priority areas include modernizing agriculture, expanding sustainable tourism, advancing the Bio-Circular-Green Economy, improving infrastructure, and strengthening cross-border trade with Malaysia. The prime minister will also assess ongoing flood recovery efforts and long-term disaster prevention measures.
As part of her visit, Paetongtarn will travel to Thai Union Seafood Co., Ltd. in Singhanakhon district to discuss policies for strengthening seafood exports. She will then visit Songkhla Old Town to meet with stakeholders on heritage tourism and explore ways to enhance the province’s appeal as a global travel destination.
According to Government Spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap, the Cabinet meeting will be held at Prince of Songkla University’s international convention center in Hat Yai. In the afternoon, the prime minister will inspect the Sadao Customs Checkpoint to review trade operations between Thailand and Malaysia, as well as the progress of the new border crossing linking to Bukit Kayu Hitam in Malaysia. The checkpoint is a key trade route connecting Thailand to Malaysia’s motorway network, leading to major cities and extending to Singapore.
The government views this visit as an opportunity to address economic challenges in the South and gather public input on policy implementation. The focus will be on resolving barriers in agriculture, fisheries, tourism, logistics, and trade, strengthening the region’s economic prospects. (NNT)
