Chanthaburi: The Prime Minister lauded orchard owners in Chanthaburi for their efforts in maintaining the quality of their fruits, which have contributed to the country's growing reputation on the international stage. During his visit, he inspected the durian warehouse, addressing issues related to stranded cargo containers, and emphasized the role of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in ensuring the distribution of products throughout the season.
According to Thai News Agency, in the afternoon, Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, along with her team, visited a private company in Makham District to observe the sorting and packaging processes for mangosteens destined for export. They also visited Dragon Fresh Fruit Co., Ltd. to examine the quality inspection procedures and explore ways to enhance product value and distribution. The Prime Minister commended the private sector's initiative of incorporating seasonal fruit menus on Air Asia flights, highlighting the innovative use of fruits in both savory and sweet dishes.
During the visit, the Prime Minister engaged with local farmers to discuss challenges, particularly those related to storage, sorting machinery, and the delays in exporting due to chemical inspections. These delays could impact the quality of mangosteens, especially during the rainy season, affecting their export viability. The Prime Minister also expressed concerns over the strictness of BY2 usage inspections, which have been relaxed, potentially affecting export standards.
Business representatives proposed the cultivation of passion fruit as a supplementary crop to the main fruit varieties, promoting it as a new economic crop for Thailand. The Prime Minister expressed his willingness to consider this proposal and emphasized the importance of research in developing new crops.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for efficient packaging and export processes and expressed his commitment to discussing potential solutions with relevant ministries. He also highlighted the need for budgetary support for cooperatives to ensure smooth operations.
Deputy Minister of Commerce, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, reported that the issue of delayed containers had been addressed, reducing the time required for goods distribution. He also mentioned ongoing efforts by the Ministries of Commerce and Agriculture to tackle market oversupply and labor shortages as directed by the Prime Minister.
Before departing for Bangkok, the Prime Minister visited Noen Sung Market in Tha Mai District, where he purchased local fruits and snacks, including mangosteens and durians, as gifts for his family. The Prime Minister shared his fondness for traditional snacks and durian paste, sampling and sharing them with ministers, provincial governors, and media personnel before concluding his visit.