Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will ask the cabinet tomorrow about a visit to the south, to meet people affected by the heavy flooding, government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap said today.
Now that the floodwaters have receded in many areas, a trip by the premier to the south could have both positive and negative impacts, the spokesperson told reporters.
Although Paetongtarn has not yet travelled to the affected southern provinces, she continues to issue orders from Bangkok, he added.
The premier has faced harsh criticism for hosting a cabinet retreat in the northern provinces of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai over the weekend, despite many southern provinces still being flooded.
Both Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai were also hit by severe flooding last month.
Some senior government members have leapt to the prime minister’s defence over the retreat, saying that it had been planned well in advance.
Yesterday, it was reported that Paetongtarn would travel to the southern provinces this Friday.
Paetongtarn responded to criticism, denying claims that she has ignored the south and pointing out that her husband is a southerner.
She also explained that she has delayed visiting the crisis-hit region to avoid disrupting urgent relief work by authorities, who must remain fully focused on helping the people.
