Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday visited Udon Thani for a first-hand look at the drought situation and to inspect progress in state measures to address poverty and land problems in the province, a stronghold of the Pheu Thai Party and the red shirts.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha listens to a briefing by a local official about drought-alleviation projects in tambon Jomsri of Phen district, Udon Thani. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasil)
Gen Prayut, head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chatchai Sarikulya.
In the morning, the prime minister presided over a ceremony to hand out land title deeds to 189 villagers under a project to reduce inequality and also provided 8.2 million baht in financial assistance to 18 projects for farmers affected by severe drought.
During his visit, Gen Prayut also approved five water management projects in the northeastern region.
The five projects comprise water sources and irrigation areas in Nong Khai; kaem ling catchment areas at Nong Samrong reservoir in Udon Thani's Muang district; kaem ling in the province's Kumphawapi district; a water supply system for agricultural purposes in Bung Kan; and construction of sluice gates in Nong Bua Lam Phu.
Gen Prayut said most of the drought-stricken farmland was outside irrigation areas. Therefore, farmers in those areas had to rely solely on rainfall and underground water.
Commenting on China's release of water from its dams into the Mekong River to help ease water shortages in Thailand, Gen Prayut said it resulted from a healthy relationship between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Gen Prayut asked Udon Thani residents to understand the government's administration and its policies, adding he wanted to build solidarity among people in the country.
Gen Prayut insisted he was not trying to curry favour among residents.
He also urged local residents to carefully consider the draft charter before the referendum as the future of the province and the country in the next 20 years depended on it.
Gen Prayut was also scheduled to visit Rajabhat Udon Thani University.
He later chaired a meeting of the joint public and private committee for provinces in the upper Northeast in the afternoon before returning to Bangkok in the evening.
Deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said Gen Prayut planned to visit other provinces and was not worried about anti-government protests.
