Songkhla: Minister Anutin Charnvirakul chaired a cabinet meeting in Songkhla, focusing on economic development, security, social progress, and disaster prevention. He prioritized the "Southern Double-Track Railway Phase 2" from Surat Thani to Padang Besar, a project worth 100 billion baht, and urged a faster disaster relief system through insurance, arguing it uses less money but provides better care for the public. Regarding security, he announced plans to use AI to assist with immigration checks and indicated that the next cabinet meeting in Udon Thani, an Isaan city, would be held in the northeastern region.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul announced after the Cabinet meeting that the Cabinet had set urgent guidelines, or "quick wins," for relevant agencies to implement immediately, covering four key areas: economy, society, security, and disaster management. Regarding the economy, the government aims to boost the economic potential of the five southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Satun, leveraging their own potential in agriculture, trade, investment, industry, and tourism. This will be achieved by urgently removing obstacles to business, with provincial governors leading and supporting the initiatives. Furthermore, relevant agencies have been tasked with action, such as the Ministry of Finance, which will consider financial and tax measures, particularly those related to low-interest soft loans and SME loan guarantees. The Ministry of Transport will also undertake dredging and maintenance of the Pattani and Songkhla water ways. The government's goal is to provide opportunities, income, and economic growth for people in the area.
In terms of social issues and quality of life, the government will continue to address poverty, care for vulnerable groups, and increase access to healthcare and employment opportunities. The government has assigned the design and construction of the second Hat Yai Hospital, with an initial budget of 250 million baht, and will discuss with Malaysia the protection and care of Thai workers while reducing costs for employers. Regarding security, the government will prioritize security alongside development. The key is for the state to work collaboratively with the people, not in isolation. This includes enhancing security networks in the area, developing security infrastructure, and utilizing modern technologies, including AI, to improve security and border management. The ultimate goal is to create peace, security, and confidence so that people can live, work, and conduct businesses securely.
In terms of disaster prevention and management, the government has allocated emergency funds totaling over 142 million baht to enhance the effectiveness of disaster prevention and mitigation. This includes the construction of temporary shelters in Pattani, and projects to improve the drainage systems of Hat Yai Municipality and Khuan Rang Municipality in Songkhla Province. Furthermore, the government approved the improvement of the Khlong Rian flood control project. Importantly, today's meeting approved the principle of shifting disaster relief efforts from passive compensation payments to a household insurance system. This approach will allow citizens to receive faster and more comprehensive compensation in the event of floods, storms, and earthquakes, targeting approximately 30 million households nationwide, not just in the South.
The Prime Minister stated that in addition to the aforementioned urgent measures, the government is also moving forward with large-scale infrastructure projects that will be key mechanisms for the long-term development of the South. The Cabinet has approved transportation projects in the form of the second phase of the double-track railway, with a budget of 106,798.32 million baht. This phase includes routes in the South between Chumphon and Surat Thani, Surat Thani and Hat Yai Junction, and Hat Yai Junction and Padang Besar. Furthermore, he has requested the National Economic and Social Development Council to expedite the study on connecting Hat Yai Junction to Suai Ngai Kolok District in Narathiwat Province, to complete the transportation system and link various aspects as intended by the government. This project will improve travel efficiency and transportation, connecting the southern economy with other regions of the country and neighboring countries. At the same time, the government is also proceeding w ith important projects such as the bridge across Songkhla Lake and the bridge connecting Koh Lanta, which yesterday (August 31st) witnessed accelerated progress between the Department of Rural Roads, Ministry of Transport, and the contractors. This will create a bridge connecting the mainland at Krabi province to Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai in southern Thailand. From now on, residents and tourists can travel by car or even bicycle from Krabi to Koh Lanta and Koh Lanta Noi, expanding beyond just boat travel. Furthermore, a bridge across Songkhla Lake will connect Songkhla and Phatthalung provinces, reducing travel time from 1.5 hours to just 20 minutes. This will be another crucial economic route, significantly lowering transportation costs and boosting the local economy.
The Prime Minister stated that this cabinet meeting in the South was not merely a meeting on the ground, but a way to bring the people's problems directly to the government's decision-making. "We don't just listen and leave; we listen and then act," he said. He noted that the five southern border provinces have immense potential in terms of economy, tourism, border trade, natural resources, and culture. The government must support these potentials and urgently address the limitations that prevent the people from fully utilizing the area's potential. The government works with a people-centered approach. A better economy must be achieved, security must be enhanced, opportunities must be increased, and the quality of life for the people must improve significantly. He and the cabinet are ready to listen, support, and work with all sectors to the best of their ability. They will move forward with the development of the five southern border provinces to achieve tangible results, creating opportunities, ensuring sec urity, and improving the quality of life for the people.
The Prime Minister also stated that the government will ensure real development in the area, benefiting the local people greatly. Today's meeting, the first cabinet meeting held outside of Bangkok, showed many positive developments. It fostered understanding and familiarity among civil servants, particularly those serving in the southern border provinces, in the economic, administrative, and security sectors. It provided an opportunity for civil servants who will be rotated in the 2027 fiscal year, starting October 1st, to meet and interact without secrecy, preventing gaps in work and ensuring continuity and stability. The Prime Minister said that this cabinet meeting outside of Bangkok was clearly a great success, leading him to consider holding similar meetings throughout the country. He unofficially planned the next cabinet meeting to be in the Northeast, possibly starting with the region's economic and business centers, possibly beginning with Udon Thani province, and striving to cover as many areas as po ssible. Currently, the focus is on the regional level before progressing to the provincial or group of provinces level, as time permits.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the universal insurance project, stating that it will protect approximately 30 million households nationwide from three types of disasters: floods, storms, and earthquakes. Coverage includes housing up to 100,000 baht per household/per incident, with no limit on the number of subsequent incidents, and life insurance with a 2 million baht benefit per deceased person. Initial assistance can be provided within 15 days, with further assistance within another 15 days. The government will pay the insurance premiums, approximately 15.5 billion baht per year. He noted that this is less than the amount currently spent on compensation, including medical expenses, relief supplies, and shelter costs. He considered it a form of risk insurance, preventing further damage even if no storm occurs. The total coverage amount is approximately 75 billion baht per year, compared to 45 billion baht previously. Based on the initial calculations by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. E kniti Nitithanprapas, the government will spend less but cover a much larger number of people, which should be more beneficial.