Lopburi Residents Welcome New Lam Sonthi District Chief Setthawut
On his first day as Lam Sonthi district chief, Setthawut Wongleewut received a warm welcome from Lopburi residents and local officials. He accepted marigold garlands and khanom chin noodles, symbols wishing him a long tenure, and pledged to focus on community needs while avoiding past controversies. Villagers urged him to prioritize tackling widespread drug issues in the area.
On October 12, 2569 BE, Setthawut Wongleewut reported for duty at the Lam Sonthi district office, greeted by government heads, village leaders, local administrators, and members of the village chief clubs from all six sub-districts, as well as executives from the six subdistrict administrative organizations. Crowds of citizens arrived with marigold garlands, local blossoms, and plates of khanom chin noodles, which they explained symbolize a hope for his long and continuous stay. Setthawut expressed gratitude, said he felt hungry, and admitted feeling humbled by the warm reception, while locals insisted they came willingly. After paying respects at the local spirit shrine, he walked among the crowd, chatting and shaking hands. He later told attendees that he plans to visit villagers in their homes to learn about their living conditions and needs, describing the welcome gathering itself as an informal meeting that already gave him insight into each area. Residents highlighted drug abuse as their most urgent concern, urging the new district chief to direct his staff to address the issue decisively. When asked about his transfer from the larger Bang Sang district to the smaller Lam Sonthi district outside the regular rotation, Setthawut declined to comment, stating he would focus on serving the people of Lam Sonthi.
