Ministry of Interiors Public Relations Division Leads Media to Explore Udonthani OTOP Community Lifestyle Ahead of Cabinet Meeting - Thairath English
The Public Relations Division of the Ministry of Interior led a media team to experience the Udonthani OTOP community lifestyle by visiting the learning center for “Non Kok Village Weaving – Date Palms – Wolffia Eggs” ahead of the Cabinet's mobile meeting, supporting agricultural and grassroots economic stimulation.
On 1 Nov 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in Udonthani Province, Mr. Arsit Sampantarat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, assigned the Public Relations Division of the Ministry of Interior to lead a central media delegation to follow up on the development of Udonthani's OTOP products, in conjunction with the official Cabinet meeting held off-site in Udonthani from 2 to 3 Nov 2026.
Mr. Arsit revealed that the Ministry of Interior has adopted the policy of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul as an urgent priority: “Ministry of Interior Act Now Action 5PLUS.” One key policy is to “reduce expenses, increase income, support economic stimulus policies, and drive grassroots and community economies” through the development of OTOP and community products to raise community income. The upcoming Cabinet meeting will highlight the “national agricultural agenda” as a main policy to drive grassroots economy and food security, alongside promoting the 2026 Udonthani International Horticultural Expo to position Thailand as a center for high-value agriculture, improving farmers’ quality of life with sufficient income, savings, and no household debt.
On this occasion, the delegation visited the Non Kok Village ancient weaving knowledge center in Nong Nakham Subdistrict, Mueang Udonthani District, to observe the innovation of using red lotus flowers for fabric dyeing. They were welcomed by Mr. Jetsada Munrian, Director of the Community Development Strategy Group at Udonthani Provincial Community Development Office, along with Lt. Chalermchon Kosumpsiri, Mueang Udonthani District Chief Development Officer, Mr. Apichart Phonbuakai, Village Headman of Village 18 and group chairman. The group witnessed the traditional Bai Sri Su Kwan dance, a valuable and beautiful cultural art of Northeastern Thailand, and explored local wisdom in crafting "Mhee Bit" fabric dyed with natural indigo and red lotus, decorated with Khid patterns reflecting Udonthani’s identity: “Ban Chiang Jar Pattern” and “Lotus Flower Pattern.” These precious fabrics were tailored into shirts worn by the Cabinet members during the mobile meeting. The lotus pattern symbolizes the beauty and abundance of the Red Lotus Sea, linking community lifestyle to sustainable prosperity.
At 1:30 p.m., the delegation visited the agricultural tourism learning center “Twin Palm Garden” in Nong Nakham Subdistrict. Mr. Amnat Phakarnrat, former Governor of Udonthani Province, initiated planting 25 rai of local date palms and shared technology for cultivation and full-cycle product processing, such as health drinks, and collaborated with Udonthani Rajabhat University to develop date palm wine as a new alternative. This created a “Happy Farm” supporting farmers’ self-reliance and increased income, following the sufficiency economy philosophy.
The visit concluded at the Sufficiency Economy Learning Center “Lucky Farm” or the Wolffia Egg Lucky Udonthani Community Enterprise. Mr. Sao Hanfa Luean, chairman of the enterprise group and initiator of Wolffia (Wolffia) cultivation—a tiny aquatic plant recognized globally as a superfood—operates under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards. They advanced local wisdom by processing dried Wolffia eggs, fitting the future food development approach with high natural protein. This serves as a key model for food security and preparing to promote Thai community products to international markets.
