Nakhon Si Thammarat seeks about Bt12 bln for projects

Nakhon Si Thammarat, Oct. 21 (TNA) - Officials of Nakhon SiThammarat province of southern Thailand have sought about 12 billion baht to spend on more than 30 projects in the province from the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during a mobile cabinet meeting being held there on Sunday. The two-day mobile cabinet meeting, starting today in Nakhon Si Thammarat and nearby Surat Thani province, considered as a political stronghold of the rival, major opposition Democrat Party is so far peaceful although many people have come to submit complaints and sought help from the 14-month-old government. Security is tight as several groups of people in Nakhon Si Thammarat are waiting to lodge requests for government assistance. They include fishermen from Pak Phanang district, a group of market vendors who are concerned that a planned listing of the respected Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan as the UNESCO World Heritage Site could affect their businesses and those who oppose planned industrial development projects in the South. Miss Yingluck and the ministers early today visited and paid respects at the temple. She also launched a campaign supporting Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan to become the World Heritage Site. Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplume said in an address to the prime minister that Thailand now has five UNESCO World Heritage sites. The UNESCO had on September 19 approved the temple to be listed on its World Heritage Site while the official document could be ready next year. (TNA)