At 10:55 AM on May 17, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited Chanthaburi Province, arriving in a black Lexus vehicle (license plate: ขย 111, Bangkok). She met with farmers and fruit business operators to hear concerns about market challenges and fruit pricing during the harvest season, with a focus on durian, Thailand’s key export fruit.
The Prime Minister outlined efforts to address these issues through coordination with government agencies under the 2025 Fruit Management Plan. The plan includes seven strategies and 25 action programs to ensure favorable fruit prices year-round. Accompanying her were Deputy Commerce Minister Suchart Chomklin, Deputy Agriculture Ministers Itthi Sirilatthayakorn and Akkara Prompha, and Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Jiraporn Sindhuprai.
They engaged with local farmers and exporters to discuss production costs and state assistance, and observed a live-streamed durian sale hosted by a Young Smart Farmer. Among the attendees were Chanthaburi Governor Attakorn Sirilatthayakorn, Chachoengsao MP from Kla Tham Party, and MPs from the Prachachon Party.
Exporters urged the government to support durian exports by establishing rapid-testing laboratories in fruit-growing provinces like Chanthaburi and Chumphon. They also suggested enlisting global influencers like Lisa from BLACKPINK to promote Thai produce.
Paetongtarn agreed to quality controls for durian, including setting moisture percentage standards and involving state agencies in joint inspections with packing houses. Mangosteen growers raised concerns over inconsistent pricing and suggested that buying stations display clear prices and address issues such as low farmgate prices and wildlife disturbances.
MP Yanannicha proposed extending foreign labor permits and allowing interprovincial travel for harvest workers, as well as funding to mitigate wild elephant damage to crops.
Paetongtarn affirmed her commitment to solving farmers’ problems. She discussed mechanisms with the Agriculture Ministry to stabilize prices, reduce spoilage, and increase private sector involvement. She supported national research into agriculture and food safety, pushing for Thailand to regain its leadership in exports.
She revealed discussions with China to streamline customs inspections, deploying Thai and Chinese teams to reduce delays from 8–12 days to within 24 hours. She also introduced a one-stop service for export documentation and residue testing on-site.
She announced that a fruit quality control law would be enacted by July 10. Provincial governors would lead local quality enforcement teams in consultation with growers and traders. The Interior Ministry would handle labor regulations and forest elephant issues as a priority due to safety concerns.
Paetongtarn then toured an exhibition on the eastern region's fruit production, planted a durian tree, and witnessed agricultural tech demonstrations like drone pesticide spraying. She admired a 100-year-old durian tree and personally cut a durian, joking with media that the fruit was lighter than carrying her child.