In the face of mounting public criticism over his frequent overseas travels, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has vocally committed to staying put in Thailand for the next two months. The announcement was made via his Twitter account, highlighting that he had taken on board the citizens’ concerns and was grateful for their feedback.

 

“I will not be travelling abroad from March 14 to May 15. I have listened to your concerns and I will be visiting the Mor Chit bus terminal, a hub for our low-income citizens. However, I maintain that my foreign trips are always in the nation’s best interest.”

 

This statement is believed to be a direct response to a recent article published in the Prachachart Thurakij newspaper by columnist Sorakol Adulyanont. Sorakol had appealed to the prime minister to focus more on domestic issues, suggesting visits to the bus terminal or inspections of the fire-fighting operations in the northern region currently battling severe dust pollution.

Sorakol further reminded the prime minister of his own words, emphasising that a true leader must be willing to hear the voices of the people, regardless of whether they are hard to digest.

Critics, notably including Senator Somchai Sawangkarn, have expressed disapproval of the 62 year old prime minister’s frequent foreign excursions.

 

“Could our prime minister be setting a global record for the most overseas trips by a country’s leader? The pressing question remains: What results have these trips yielded?”

 

It has been reported that the Bangkok-born Srettha has spent nearly 30% of his time in office over the past six months travelling; totalling 15 overseas trips. His most recent trips included visits to Germany and France, in addition to an official trip to Australia. During the Australian trip, he participated in the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit held in Melbourne, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Despite the criticism, the Thai prime minister remains steadfast in his stance that these trips are crucial for promoting investment and tourism in Thailand.

 

by Mitch Connor 

Picture courtesy of Government House

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-21

 

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Checking in on his overseas bank accounts .......

 

 

regards Worgeordie

I don't have a problem with it. In fact, I wish he would travel a bit more... permanently would be about right.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

However, I maintain that my foreign trips are always in the nation’s best interest.”

Begging for help....

The same ignorant & contradictory criticism is made everywhere in the world (eg Oz) about leaders jetting hither and yon.

 

The fact is that today's connected world requires countries to meet together regularly to agree on joint action on any of a huge number of areas. Some of these meetings - whether 1-on-1 or collective - can be done now using modern technology without leaving home. But many important annual or other meetings require face-to-face. It goes with the job.

 

Would the People Who Complain be happy if Thailand wasn't represented at the various ASEAN meetings? or only a junior clerk was sent for the grip 'n grin with all the Heads of Government?

Two-month stay is fine so long as the PM organizes a trade team of senior trade advisors and economists to present and receive foreign trade offers. There is the Minister of Commerce Wechayachai who surely can recommend such a team for PM approval.

Once trade outlines are established,  the PM can travel to negotiate and execute MOU's to establish specific treaty language for ratification by respective national legislatures.

On 3/21/2024 at 11:14 AM, daveAustin said:

I don't have a problem with it. In fact, I wish he would travel a bit more... permanently would be about right.

Why do you dislike him? A bit politically naive is all I see, but I  find him far more agreeable than the last chap!