Ahead of the upcoming election next month, Thailand’s Democrat Party is proposing to transform Phuket into a “model city and a technology hub”. Phuket has been the proposed location for hundreds of ‘hubs’ over the years…
Democrat list-MP candidate Suchatvee Suwansawat expressed that the party wants Phuket to become a model city, not just for Thailand but also the ASEAN region. He noted that since Phuket is a top tourist destination, it is a perfect candidate for the party’s proposal to provide free internet access at various locations.
The Democrats have traditional performed well on the southern island province at past elections.
The Democrat Party also says they will pledge to support the development of the public transportation system in the province to alleviate traffic congestion, specifically a tram project (a light-rail project, and subsequently an electric, automated tram system, have been debated and budgeted for a decade).
Suchatvee highlighted that although Phuket faces severe traffic problems, there is no agency to oversee the issue. He added that the party’s candidates are familiar with the problems and can offer insights. Furthermore, the party is considering pushing for an upgrade to Phuket Rajabhat University to expand its fields of study.
On the other hand, the Palang Pracharath Party, the leading party in the last coalition government from 2019 – March 2023, has pledged to introduce a fertiliser co-payment scheme to help reduce production costs for 8 million farming households facing fluctuations in prices.
Charnkit Dechavitak, spokesman for the party’s election strategy committee, emphasised that the PPRP attaches importance to every group of farmers and has been working to bridge the gap and improve their livelihood. Although chemical fertiliser prices have dipped because of lower raw material costs, farmers’ concerns about price fluctuations remain, and this factor can adversely affect production costs and income.
Mr Charnkit said the planned fertiliser co-payment scheme, together with the proposed fertiliser fund, is expected to stabilise prices.
Meanwhile, the Chartpattanakla Party has introduced a five-point strategy to generate growth in the northeastern region. Party chairman Suwat Liptapanlop, party secretary-general and candidate for Tewan Liptapanlop, as well as young business leaders discussed the strategy at a meeting. The plan covers economic development, transportation upgrades, tourism promotion, food production, and water resource management, with the “Korat-nomics” scheme to help transform the region into a new economic corridor.
ORIGINAL STORY: Bangkok Post
