Hat yai: "Pipat" plants his flag in Hat Yai, campaigning in District 2 to support "Sastra," with over 1,200 participants. He points out it's time to reclaim the opportunity of the past 30 years, pushing for a ring road, double-track railway, and flood control measures to revive the southern economic hub.
According to Thai News Agency, the political atmosphere in Constituency 2, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, remains vibrant. Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, a leading figure and key figure in the Bhumjaithai Party's southern campaign, held a rally for the 10th time to support Mr. Sastra Sripan, the party's candidate for Constituency 2 (number 3). The rally attracted over 1,200 people, bringing the total to over 10,000, reflecting the intense election battle and the Bhumjaithai Party's continued hold on Hat Yai, paving the way for another large-scale campaign rally in the area.
Mr. Pipat stated in his speech that he was born and raised in Hat Yai District, particularly the Kim Yong Market area, which in the past was considered the center of trade and tourism in the South. People from all areas and neighboring countries came to shop. However, for several decades, Hat Yai has stagnated and lacked systematic development. He concluded that today, it's "enough" enough that this important economic hub of the South has been allowed to decline.
Mr. Pipat stated that Hat Yai has complete potential, with road, rail, and air systems, to be a transportation and logistics hub for the South, connecting to Malaysia and Singapore. However, it faces severe traffic congestion. The Hat Yai ring road project, totaling over 65 kilometers, was conceived in 1999, but to date, only 7 kilometers have actually been funded for construction.
'The question is, will the rest be completed during our lifetime This is why the South must reclaim the opportunities that have been lost for over 30 years,' Mr. Pipat said.
Regarding infrastructure, Mr. Pipat pointed out that development in the South cannot rely solely on roads, especially the double-track railway system. Currently, the railway only runs from Bangkok to Chumphon province, leaving the lower South lacking efficient transportation options. Therefore, the Bhumjaithai Party has a policy to promote the extension of the double-track railway to the South in order to enhance economic capabilities and reduce travel costs.
Mr. Pipat also addressed the recurring flooding problem in Hat Yai and surrounding areas, stating that he had discussed the issue with several transportation agencies, including the Department of Highways, the Department of Rural Roads, and the Expressway Authority of Thailand, to integrate solutions. These solutions include developing parallel road networks, resolving traffic bottlenecks, and systematically managing water resources.
Mr. Sastra Sripan, a candidate for Member of Parliament in Constituency 2, added that he is working with academia, particularly on studying flood control solutions with Prince of Songkla University. He also proposed establishing a "Disaster Relief Fund" to provide concrete assistance to the public, aiming to provide 100,000 baht per household affected by floods, thereby alleviating the burden on people during this crisis.
This election is a crucial opportunity for the people of Hat Yai and Songkhla province to elect representatives who understand the area, dare to ask questions in parliament, and can truly secure funding for the development of their hometown. The party affirmed its commitment to working continuously in Hat Yai for two days to ensure that the Bhumjaithai Party is ready to "plant its flag in Hat Yai" and drive genuine development in the South.