Chiang Rai, The Prime Minister visited Chiang Rai to discuss water management for the Nong Hang water source conservation and restoration project, approving 3 projects worth 110 million baht, along with an early birthday surprise for ‘Wisarn Techathirawat’ who turns 68.
Prime Minister Settha Thavisin, along with Ms. Jiraporn Sindhuphrai, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, Deputy Minister of Finance, and Ms. Wisaradee Techathirawat, Ms. Piyarat Tiyapairat, Chiang Rai MPs from the Pheu Thai Party, visited Tambon Thantawan, Phan District, Chiang Rai Province to meet with locals to discuss issues of water management in the area, the Nong Hang Water Source Conservation and Restoration Project to prevent flooding and drought, and water for consumption. The atmosphere was lively with many locals welcoming him. Students from Pa Daeng Witthaya School also beat the Sabat Chai drum to welcome the Prime Minister and presented a painting to the Prime Minister, which the Prime Minister sig
ned and asked to be kept as a souvenir.
Then, the local people in Tambon Tanthawan reflected the problems in the area that more than 40 years ago, this area was the area where their grandparents made a living. But in 2002, the water islands were dug into 3 islands, which greatly affected the local people, both from repeated flooding and drought. Furthermore, it could not be developed as a tourist attraction because the water was shallow. Today is a good opportunity for the Prime Minister and his team to visit the area to help develop the area because in 2024, they received a budget of 10 million baht, which was not enough. In 2025, there is no budget. Therefore, they would like to ask for the kindness of the Prime Minister and his team to help push the budget for the local people and ask the responsible agencies to help solve the problem in an integrated manner.
The Prime Minister said that he was glad to be here for the first time in a relaxed atmosphere. Today, we are all here, including the Royal Irrigat
ion Department, the Water Resources Department, and the budget department. It is well known that water is an important issue that the government is committed to taking good care of in every area. Regarding flooding and drought, I have sent a team to discuss it in advance. Therefore, we will continuously support the development and support of water for agriculture, consumption, or the development of this area as a tourist attraction. As for the budget that was said to be only 10 million baht, the local MPs have talked to me many times. Regarding the budget, we understand that 10 million baht is not enough, but we have 3 projects in the area, so we ask for another zero to be added, not 10 million baht, but 110 million baht. We are not complacent and will try to do better.
After the PM finished talking to the villagers, Ms. Wisaradee surprised Mr. Wisarn Techathirawat, her father who will be 68 years old tomorrow (July 14), by giving him a cake and asking to take a photo with the PM. The PM then visited the OTO
P booth, community products, and agricultural products that the villagers in the area brought to display and sell before giving fish species and listening to a briefing from the Director-General of the Department of Water Resources and water management in Chiang Rai Province, which the government has approved the latest central budget, which will benefit farmers over 20,000 rai using piped water. The PM then planted the Rungpheung tree, the tree of King Rama X, as a souvenir for the villagers of Tambon Thantawan.
Source: Thai News Agency