Yingluck plans to meet locals

“The PM wants to get first-hand experience as her government plans to solve water problems in the upstream, midstream and downstream areas,” the source said.

One of her main destinations will be the “Bang Rakam Model” in Bang Rakam district in Phitsanulok. The model is used as a pilot project to solve flood problems across the country and will be an integrated solution to tackle both floods and drought through efficient water management. 

Yingluck will then head to Ayutthaya to see how the flood-hit province is restoring its industrial sector and ancient sites after the severe flood. 

Cabinet’s practice of holding overnight stays in the provinces was initiated by Yingluck’s brother Thaksin. In 2006, the then prime minister chose a small district in Roi Et province, At Samat, as a place to spend the night, and broadcast his five-day tour live nationwide as a reality show. The scheme was later called the “At Samat Model”. Adopted by officials, it became part of Thaksin’s campaign to show his ability to tackle poverty and other problems of rural people. 

Like her brother, who stayed overnight in a tent at a temple during the trip, Yingluck wished to stay in a tent as well, a source close to Yingluck said.

Deputy PM’s secretary-general and acting government spokesman Titima Chaisaeng said the PM would not stay overnight in a temple as her brother had, but would make home-stays in villages. 

After the overnight-stays trip, the premier is scheduled to hold her second mobile-Cabinet meeting in Udon Thani on February 21-22. Apart from chairing the Cabinet and a meeting with the Joint Public-Private Consultative Committee, the premier will visit local and business people, especially those in the tourism sector. 

The premier also plans to visit the Thai-Cambodian border near Preah Vihear Temple, the source said.