Government strengthens grassroots in Thai South

BANGKOK, June 20 (TNA) - The government, through the Ministry of Commerce, is proceeding with a plan on implementing comprehensive measures to help strengthen the grassroots in Thailand's southern Andaman region. Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn told journalists that she has assigned her ministry's regional and provincial offices in charge of Thailand's southern Andaman coastal provinces of Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket, Krabi and Trang to implement the comprehensive measures, covering those on local production, marketing and tourism. Apiradi explained that the measures are aimed to assist local farmers and producers to be accessible to potential markets to sell their products and services in order to boost locals' income and quality of life, as well as the local economy from the grassroots level. Apiradi pointed out that Thailand's southern Andaman region has outstanding cultures and natural terrain and marine resources beneficial to the local tourism sector, together with such major economic crops as natural rubber, oil palm and coffee, as well as fisheries. Besides, the minister said, the southern Thai Andaman region has a number of potential hotels, restaurants, souvenir, healthcare, logistics, entertainment and sport businesses. The minister acknowledged the diverse businesses with different revenues have caused a wide economic disparity in the southern Thai Andaman region, ranging from 67,000 to 134,000 baht of locals' revenues yearly. According to the minister, the comprehensive measures are, thus, needed to boost locals' income and to stimulate the local economy from the grassroots level. The minister revealed that the measures include the opening of "must not miss markets" and markets of unique provincial products at the Tambon Ngao Municipal Market in Muang District of Ranong Province, the Bang Niang Market in Ta Kua Pa District of Phang-nga Province, the Wat Thep Market in Thalang District of Phuket Province, the Nong Thale Market in Muang District of Krabi Province and the Na Pod in Nayong District of Trang Province. (TNA)