Prime Minister Visits Rice Fields to Collect Royal Seed Strain, Reaffirms Government Drought Preparedness
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul collected royal seed rice from a demonstration field on May 13, pledging government support for farmers facing anticipated drought through coordinated water management efforts.
On May 13, 2569, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister visited a demonstration rice field to collect royal seed strain after completing the royal blessing ceremony. The Prime Minister joined locals in gathering the seeds into prepared bags, saying it was his first time collecting royal seed rice. When asked what he would do with the seeds, he initially avoided answering but then revealed he has his own farmland, saying "I'll plant it and let you know which field."
The Prime Minister emphasized that the government has measures in place to support farmers, anticipating drought conditions this year. He noted that multiple agencies—including the National Water Resources Office, Royal Irrigation Department, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, and Ministry of Public Works and Town & Country Planning—are coordinating efforts to supply water sources such as groundwater to farmers. Officials are planning to maximize water conservation to prevent agricultural hardship.
During the seed collection, a local resident jokingly asked the Prime Minister in the northeast Thai dialect whether he was "authentic" or a "fake northeast Thai farmer." Anutin responded humorously that he was a "fake one." Another person asked whether everyone would receive the promised 1,000 baht at month's end, but the Prime Minister did not answer the question.
