Udon thani: The governor of Udon Thani reiterated his commitment to cracking down on scammers from neighboring countries. The Governor of Udon Thani Province revealed that efforts are being intensified to prevent and crack down on scammers from neighboring countries, emphasizing that the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo must distribute income to the local community.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Rachan Soonhua, Governor of Udon Thani Province, disclosed the security measures and prevention of cross-border threats in the area. He stated that there is comprehensive coordination with government agencies and requested cooperation from the public to help monitor the situation. In the past, scammer and call center groups have used inner areas of Udon Thani as their base of operations. Their modus operandi involves renting houses or buildings in remote areas and hiring local people to manage their communication systems. The province has upgraded its countermeasures, focusing on utilizing a network of over 150 communities within the Udon Thani municipal area to monitor and report suspicious activity. Furthermore, the province is coordinating with the Provincial Electricity Authority to inspect residences with unusually high electricity bills, enabling police and administrative officials to conduct prompt raids. The governor also emphasized the importance of strict vigilance at monthly government meetings.
Regarding the progress of the World Horticultural Expo, the Governor of Udon Thani stressed the goal of ensuring that the people of Udon Thani benefit and that income is distributed within the local community. The province has allocated 3 million baht to prepare space for OTOP groups and local entrepreneurs to set up stalls selling goods, food, and souvenirs within the event. Emphasis is also placed on employing local personnel, such as training young people to become junior tour guides. Moreover, negotiations have been held to reduce the entrance fee from the previously proposed 350 baht to a maximum of 199 baht. Children and youth will be granted free entry, providing equal learning opportunities for everyone in the area.
Regarding the long-term strategic plan to become a logistics and aviation hub in the Greater Mekong Subregion and ASEAN, Mr. Rachan noted that Udon Thani has a key strength: a robust private sector, especially local businesspeople and young entrepreneurs who are the main driving force behind economic activities. However, the government still needs to support and address obstacles related to the existing city plan, as Udon Thani is an old city with a central wetland area that affects expansion and the construction of large buildings. The matter has been submitted to the Department of Town Planning for revision and amendment.
Meanwhile, Udon Thani International Airport, a key destination in the Northeast, plans to expand its passenger terminal and begin opening direct flights connecting to Vietnam and China. This will be coupled with traffic management, U-turn areas, and the preparation of parking spaces capable of accommodating tens of thousands of vehicles, along with a free shuttle service, to support comprehensive future growth.