PM Anutin Opens Heart Surgery Center in Nong Khai
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul inaugurated the Metta Sukhothai Heart Surgery Center at Nong Khai Hospital, bringing advanced cardiac care to the province and eliminating the need for patients to travel to distant cities. During the visit, he also distributed community land titles under a forest reserve resolution policy and rallied village health volunteers, calling them essential to his leadership.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul opened the "Metta Sukhothai" heart surgery center in Nong Khai province, jokingly warning officials that "any director-general who doesn't show up might become a former one," while rallying village health volunteers (VHVs) as a crucial political force, declaring "no VHVs, no prime minister."
At 11:40 a.m. on November 2, 2026, at Nong Khai Hospital in Mueang District, Nong Khai Province, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul chaired the inauguration of the Metta Sukhothai Heart Disease Center and a ceremony presenting community land title deeds (Sor Tor Kor) under the government's policy to resolve overlapping national forest reserves in the Phran Phrao–Kaeng Kai area. He arrived in a black Toyota Alphard (license plate Khor Thor 158 Udon Thani) accompanied by ministers including Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, Public Health Minister Phathana Phromphat, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Pharadon Prisananantakul, Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Pol. Lt. Gen. Saman Nuam-ma, National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Saranyasak Sirikruea, Nong Khai Governor Suthon Srisakul, and other relevant agencies.
Upon arrival, the Prime Minister greeted officials and shook hands with welcoming VHVs amid a lively atmosphere; the volunteers sang the VHV march to welcome him. Reporters noted Anutin then introduced his entourage by calling out each department director-general. He teased Forestry Department Director-General Nikorn Sirojananont, asking "Coming or not? If not, never mind," and Water Resources Department Director-General Nat Kongkhaesorn, "Coming? If not, the minister will pay respects to the people instead," prompting Suchat to stand and wai the crowd. Anutin then asked about the Land Department Director-General, saying "Did my Land Department Director-General come?" When the official appeared, Anutin quipped, "Anyone who doesn't show up might become a former one."
Before asking the public for cheers to boost morale — explaining he had flown back from Bhutan yesterday to meet Nong Khai residents this morning and forgot to introduce himself — Anutin declared: "I'm Anutin Charnvirakul, a VHV from Isan Subdistrict, Mueang District, Buriram Province. We're the same people," drawing loud cheers.
Anutin stated he was delighted to meet Nong Khai residents at the hospital to receive the auspicious gift of the Metta Sukhothai Heart Center and the community land title distribution. He said he hesitated to preside because the center belongs to all Nong Khai and neighboring province residents, providing vital local cardiac care so patients no longer need to travel to Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, or Nakhon Phanom. He credited the center's establishment to the great benevolence of Luang Pu Thuy Chantakaro, abbot of Wat Pa Dan Vivek in Sri Chomphu Subdistrict, So Phisai District, Bueng Kan Province, who has shown enduring compassion to the people of Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, and Isan. The opening marks a significant step in developing Nong Khai's medical service system, enabling timely treatment.
The Prime Minister emphasized that every second counts with heart disease, making the center highly commendable. He expressed deep gratitude...
