Prime Minister Anutin Addresses Local Cooperation in Songkhla

On August 31, 2026, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul visited the Na Khuan floodgate in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, to oversee local management efforts. During the visit, he held a brief exchange with Hat Yai Mayor Narongporn Na Phatthalung, known locally as 'Mayor Paen.'

According to a report by Khaosod Online, the Prime Minister addressed the Mayor directly, emphasizing the need for professional cooperation. He urged the Mayor to refrain from disparaging remarks and instead focus on collaborative efforts, stating, "Politics aside, our villagers must come first. We are on the same side." The Prime Minister also acknowledged the Mayor’s background as a former district chief during the interaction.

For residents and travelers in the region, this exchange highlights the government's current emphasis on administrative alignment between national and local authorities in Southern Thailand. While the interaction appeared to be a call for unity, it remains to be seen how this directive will influence future local governance and the implementation of public projects in Hat Yai. No further policy changes or official administrative shifts were announced following this brief encounter.