Former Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn knows the importance of teamwork having overseen the rescue of the Wild Boars after they spent two weeks without food in a flooded cave. Now he is bringing that experience to Phayao, where he has been reassigned.
He said the province must exploit its vast farming potential and carve a new niche to raise income levels if it wants to open a new chapter in terms of economic development.
When pressed for details, Mr Narongsak, whose profile went global overnight last month as he directed one of the hardest rescue operations in modern history, pledged his support for organic farming to generate steady incomes and boost the local economy.
"Organic crops are fetching prices two to three times higher than non-organic farm produce," he said. "But the farms must be careful not to encroach on or damage our forests."
To put organic farms in a position where they can sustain the provincial economy, sufficient water supplies must be located first. More natural water sources must be sought and the water contained to last the full growing season, he said.
Importantly, everyone involved needs to pull together and sing from the same hymn sheet, he said, using the metaphor of a musical ensemble where everyone plays in a synchronised fashion.
"Civil servants and private entities must all be playing to the same tune so that everything works out," the new governor said on July 16, his first day on the job. "We must put our hands together to achieve our goals," he added, triggering a round of applause.
Phayao City Hall was bustling with civil servants and local residents who showed up in droves to welcome their new "father of the province" and catch a glimpse of the "Tham Luang hero".
The world's attention was riveted on Mr Narongsak, who played the role of "symphony director", and the fate of 12 young athletes and their 25-year-old coach in July as over 1,000 people were mobilised to successfully extract them from the Tham Luang cave complex.
Diving and medical experts flew in to lend a hand while international news crews braved driving rain to cover the dramatic ordeal.
Newly appointed Phayao governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn basks in global recognition for his supervision of the Tham Luang rescue operation in Chiang Rai where he previously served as governor. photos by Tua Pinaduang
Mr Narongsak, who is defined by his commanding disposition, was a force of calm amid the storm as he headed the rescue nerve centre at a crucial juncture in his career when he was set to transition from Chiang Rai governor to an equivalent position in neighbouring Phayao.
Phayao residents expressed hope he would bring the same "Midas touch" to their sleepy province by invigorating its moribund economy.
Mr Narongsak would have arrived earlier but the interior minister ordered him to remain in Chiang Rai until the rescue operation was completed. It began on June 23 after the boys were reported missing that evening and some of their belongings found at the cave entrance.
"Someone who was in charge always had to be at the site to supervise things and settle issues," Mr Narongsak said. "I always believed if we joined hands, we would succeed."
Looking forward, he said the problem now was not too much water -- as was the case with the flooded cave -- but rather too little, despite Phayao having an abundance of natural water sources.
The problem is that much of this flows past farms and is untapped, meaning only a fraction is stored for irrigation, he said.
One solution he put forward was expanding the capacity of Kwan Phayao, the biggest freshwater lake in North Thailand, by dredging it or raising its embankments, Mr Narongsak said.
He also drew attention to how the province was building Nam Pi reservoir in Chiang Muan district. This will serve as a significant water catchment facility as it receives heavy outflow from Kwan Phayao, he said, noting the water stored there could be used later by farmers.
Organic farming is water-intensive, he said, recalling his days as Chiang Rai governor when he oversaw the building of hundreds of small water-catchment ponds.
Mr Narongsak said he would contact officials from the Royal Irrigation Department to find ways of pursuing similar projects in Phayao.
North Thailand produces high-quality rice and more can be exported to China so the revenue can trickle down to local residents, he added.
Vacuum-packed rice from Thailand can sell for over 100 baht per kilo in China, as opposed to 60-70 baht a kilo on the domestic market. Farmers are squeezed for their share of the profits, receiving barely half of the retail price.
While serving in Chiang Rai, Mr Narongsak said he negotiated with Beijing to import more Thai rice grown in the North. Along the way he discovered it would be easier to bargain for a bigger quota if the rice he was trying to flog was organic.
Additionally, he believes Phayao has all the ingredients to position itself as a tourist destination rather than as a place people simply "pass through", he said.
However, that would require a clear action plan and more input from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, he said, due to a lack of local tourism infrastructure and knowledge resources.
Indigenous culture is the crown jewel of Phayao's tourism market. Many events and performances are little known to people outside the province and the new governor says now is the time to put them firmly on the radar.
Information about local traditions in the province's nine districts will be discussed and the best promoted as landmark cultural attractions.
The province will also organise seminars for groups of 50 to 100 people to promote economic development, innovation and cooperation in implementing schemes to drive growth.
He said one of his first tasks will be to upgrade the Ban Huak border checkpoint in Phu Sang district to make it a permanent crossing. This will spur more border trade and facilitate travel for both Thais and Laotians, added.
"If we can open this crossing, I believe the Phayao economy will prosper. So we must pursue it relentlessly," said Mr Narongsak.
The crossing can serve as a gateway for tourists to reach Laos overland. People can also enjoy a new "travel loop", he said by exiting Thailand from the northern province of Uttaradit and returning from Laos via Phayao.
He said tourists who fly to Chiang Rai could also be encouraged to make a stopover in Phayao before heading to Lampang and then going back to Chiang Rai.
Mr Narongsak said that in real life, "heroes" don't take all the credit for collaborative efforts.
"In real life, everyone has to work together, unite and collaborate to accomplish the tasks before us," he said.
A view of the exterior of the imposing Phayao provincial hall, the province's highest seat of government, which recently threw a warm welcome for Mr Narongsak when he joined as governor.
Phayao is on course to benefit from comprehensive development of organic farming, a vision outlined by Mr Narongsak as a key driver of the province's growth. photos by SAIARUN PINADUANG