Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to advance major transport initiatives in Northeast Thailand during a mobile cabinet meeting in Nakhon Phanom on Tuesday, aiming to strengthen the region’s role as a key economic and tourism hub along the Mekong River.
The government’s renewed focus on infrastructure development comes as part of broader plans for Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and Mukdahan provinces. According to government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub, the prime minister’s visit will also prioritize cross-border trade, water resource management, sustainable development, and drug suppression efforts in the Mekong River basin.
Among the major projects under consideration are upgrades to air transport facilities, including increased flight services to Nakhon Phanom and Sakon Nakhon airports. An environmental impact assessment for a new airport in Mukdahan is underway and is expected to conclude by the end of 2025.
Rail transport is another key focus. Construction is progressing on a 355-kilometre double-track railway connecting Ban Phai, Mukdahan, and Nakhon Phanom, with completion anticipated in 2028. Additionally, future railway expansions are being studied for routes linking Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani.
In road transport, more than 20 new projects are being developed to enhance connectivity between provinces and neighbouring countries, strengthening economic ties across the region. A new border cargo centre in Nakhon Phanom is also scheduled to open later this year, intended to improve logistics between Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and southern China via the R12 economic corridor.
Efforts to promote secondary cities such as Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, and Mukdahan as year-round tourist destinations are also part of the broader development strategy. Plans include initiatives to boost local economies and enhance public health services, notably with the opening of the Faculty of Medicine at Nakhon Phanom University to address the shortage of medical professionals in the region.
During her visit, Prime Minister Paetongtarn will tour Don Koen Park in Sakon Nakhon’s Muang district to inspect a major water rehabilitation project. She will also visit a handicraft centre in Nawa district of Nakhon Phanom, which promotes a sustainable fashion initiative. The day will conclude with her chairing a meeting on drug trafficking issues with the Mekong Riverine Unit and participating in a cultural ceremony along the Mekong River.
