NAKHON RATCHASIMA — Encouraged by the warm welcome from officials and farmers in this northeastern province, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Monday other provinces in the region could be on his map.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha shows how to cook Korat fried noodles during his visit to Phimai district in Nakhon Ratchasima on Monday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
Gen Prayut said before returning to Bangkok that he hoped to meet farmers in all northeastern provinces to listen to their plight and explain a government policy to improve the farm sector and end political rift in the country.
Nakhon Ratchasima was the second province in the region after Khon Kaen where the prime minister took on a field trip.
He promised representatives of rice, rubber, cassava and sugar cane planters to find ways to improve their lives by cutting their production costs, providing them with a better irrigation system and improving their products.
Gen Prayut called the province his home as he was born here, although he spent his military career in other provinces.
The visit to Phimai on Monday went smoothly with no protests. Five Khon Kaen University students showed anti-coup gestures while he was addressing officials during his visit to Khon Kaen on Nov 19.
Before the May 22, 2014 coup, the Northeast, along with most of the North, was known as the stronghold of the Shinawatras' political parties. The region's political affiliation now is unclear in the wake of martial law.