PM touts benefits of plans for NE provinces

Part of the Bt350-billion budget for the water projects would be earmarked to tackle specific problems in the provinces, she said, adding that dual-track trains and road construction in the provinces would be part of the Bt2-trillion infrastructure project.

Investment in the projects will lead to employment for local people, the premier said. The provinces’ economies must grow along with the national economy, she said.

Government Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi said residents of Maha Sarakham and Buri Ram had less access to tap water than people in the rest of the country. 

Meanwhile, studies would be conducted to implement agricultural zoning in the provinces. Organic jasmine rice, silk and tourism had potential and should be promoted, he said.

After a meeting with students from Maha Sarakham University and Maha Sarakham Rajabhat University, Yingluck said she wanted the universities and technical colleges in the province to serve as education hubs that produce graduates for the Northeast. Moreover, the universities had skills that could be harnessed by the Agriculture Ministry for use in its research on rice breeds, in order to ensure that more rice products from the province meet GMP (good manufacturing practice) standards, she said.

The premier said the National Economic and Social Development Board would use the knowledge and information gathered from her visit on Sunday and yesterday to develop strategic plans for other provinces in the future.