Thanakorn criticized the opposition, urging them to focus more on what the people of the South will gain and less on their own vote counts. He confirmed that the Cabinet meeting in Songkhla did not involve road closures to welcome the Prime Minister, as claimed by a People’s Party MP.
On 30 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, party-list MP of Bhumjaithai Party and former Minister of Industry, spoke about the official off-site Cabinet meeting in Songkhla from 31 Aug to 1 Sep 2026 GMT+7. He said the government, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, is not only discussing policy but also visiting to hear directly the problems, suggestions, and concerns of local people. Before the meeting, all ministers spent a day inspecting each province's progress, focusing on development and addressing low-income issues in five southern border provinces (Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat). They proposed 199 projects totaling over 57 billion baht. These include approval requests for the second phase of the southern double-track railway with three routes connecting Chumphon to Padang Besar, worth over 100 billion baht, signing contracts for bridges across Songkhla Lake (Krasaesin-Khao Chaison) and a bridge linking Koh Lanta, as well as gathering feedback on the Chana district development project based on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) studies and public participation. Therefore, people in the South will definitely benefit.
Regarding opposition complaints about road closures, Thanakorn said Songkhla has prepared comprehensively in all aspects—venue, facilitation, security, exhibitions, development proposals, and budget management—to ensure efficient operations. Regardless of which government’s Cabinet visits, related agencies conduct such preparations for order and security. Without adequate security, any unforeseen incidents would be exploited by the opposition to blame officials for unpreparedness. Importantly, there were no road closures to welcome the Prime Minister during the Cabinet meeting in Songkhla, contrary to claims by the People’s Party MP.
"I hope the government, opposition, private sector, and local people will work together to consider how to move forward for the benefit of Southern residents, focusing on monitoring flood prevention and security and development in the South. This is better than daily criticizing and labeling the government without any benefit to the South. If the opposition cared more about what Southern people gain and less about their own vote counts, that would be better," Thanakorn said.