Deputy Minister Thammanat visits Chiang Rai to expedite construction of the Mae Kham Reservoir to ease drought and flooding, plans to propose inclusion in the 2027 budget, and prepares to promote the "People's Bank" to strengthen grassroots security, stressing this is not electioneering.
On 19 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, along with Mr. Naret Thamrongtipyakun, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Mr. Winarot Sapsongsuk, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, visited Chiang Rai province to inspect water management operations, water source development, and address land use problems faced by locals. They also listened to proposals and concerns from residents in Mae Sai, Chiang Saen, and Mae Chan districts of Chiang Rai.
Lt. Col. Thammanat said during the visit that Mae Sai district once experienced significant economic growth. However, many changes, especially climate issues, have arisen. For example, a major flood struck Mae Sai mid-year, severely affecting livelihoods, the economy, and agriculture. During that time, he mobilized all available resources to aid recovery and instructed the Royal Irrigation Department to hasten construction of the Mae Kham Reservoir to increase permanent water sources for agriculture. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been completed, and the design phase is underway. He has ordered expedited progress so the project can be proposed for Cabinet approval.and to include the projectin the 2027 budget in time.
Lt. Col. Thammanat also said that solving agricultural problems requires a holistic approach—from upstream to midstream to downstream—not just increasing production but linking to processing, marketing, and importantly, financial sources. He proposed a "People's Bank" to provide fair access to credit for grassroots people, unlike the current commercial banks such as the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), which serves over 30 million farmers nationwide. For housing, the Government Housing Bank currently provides support, but no institution truly supports the daily lives of grassroots people.
"I have discussed this matter with Mrs. Narumon Pinyosinwat, Minister of Education and head of the Kla Party, to push for the establishment of the People's Bank. Ms. Mam has extensive financial knowledge, and I believe national development can only occur if grassroots Thais are secure and self-reliant," Lt. Col. Thammanat said. "I am a native of the North, raised in a farming family. Now that I have the chance to stand in this position, I want to see our Lanna people improve their quality of life. But development cannot be achieved alone; it requires cooperation from all sectors—government agencies, local leaders, and the community—to effectively address challenges and move toward common goals. I am confident that Mae Sai district and Chiang Rai province have the potential to grow again if supported properly."
Additionally, Lt. Col. Thammanat emphasized that the problems in Mae Sai and Chiang Rai can be solved if all agencies move in the same direction and work together earnestly and swiftly. He will closely monitor progress in Chiang Rai to prevent residents from facing recurring problems in the future. He reaffirmed that this visit is not electioneering but urgent problem-solving, and although the parliament has been dissolved, he continues to serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives as mandated by law.
"I was born in the North and grew up in a farming family. Today, having this opportunity, I want to see the Lanna people improve their living standards. Development cannot be done alone; it requires collaboration from all sectors—government agencies, local leaders, and the people—to effectively handle problems and drive the area towards shared goals. I believe that with proper support, Mae Sai district and Chiang Rai province can flourish again," Lt. Col. Thammanat said. Lt. Col. Thammanat stated.