Udon Thani —
On November 13th, 2024, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made his first public speech in nearly two decades, addressing a large crowd of red-shirt supporters in Kumpawapi District, Udon Thani, for a local administrative election event.
In his speech, Thaksin reminisced about his previous tenure, acknowledging the economic hardships rural Thais now face. He highlighted the impact of rising debt, reduced incomes in agriculture, and the decline of traditional livelihoods.
Thaksin noted that many farmers have been forced to sell livestock to cover living costs, resulting in fewer resources and growing economic vulnerability.
Thaksin emphasized that he and his daughter, PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, are developing policies to address these pressing issues. He promised a 10,000-baht subsidy for all citizens over 60 and outlined plans to reduce household debt while increasing local incomes through agricultural and job growth initiatives.
He also called for educational improvements and a shift in mindset to focus on practical skills, voicing concerns that traditional education alone is no longer sufficient in today’s economy.
Addressing the problem of narcotics in rural areas, Thaksin criticized drug trafficking and urged stronger measures, vowing collaboration with Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to tackle the issue.
He added that his return to Thailand is driven by a commitment to help lift rural Thais out of poverty and restore economic stability, pledging to stay actively involved and support ongoing reforms.
Thaksin closed by encouraging attendees to vote for Sarawut Petchpanomporn in the local election, promising to continue visiting Udon Thani to support economic recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, Pita Limjaroenrat, a former member of the House of Representatives, and a former leader of the Move Forward Party, also visited Udon Thani for the local election for the People’s Party, noted TPN.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
