Nakhon Ratchasima will seek an 11-billion-baht budget for 42 development projects when Prime Minster Prayut Chan-o-cha visits the province to attend the first "mobile cabinet" meeting there on Aug 21-22, officials said yesterday.
The premier is also expected to see how work is progressing on state policies, as well as meet residents affected by the flooding caused by heavy downpours late last month, according to provincial governor Wichian Chanthararothai.
But a highlight of his trip will be the cabinet's consideration of projects proposed by various agencies that relate to infrastructure and administrative affairs, Mr Wichian said after meeting local officials.
The meeting called for more details on the proposals that aim to resolve urgent issues and can be implemented as soon as the budget is approved, he said.
They include a project overseen by the Department of Rural Roads that plans to develop 11 roads in the province for the transport of farm products.
Nakhon Ratchasima municipality has proposed a number of ideas on city affairs while Irrigation Office 8 is pushing for better water management, Mr Wichian said.
Officials are now mapping flooded areas in the province to prepare for Gen Prayut's visit.
One looming question is which area is most in need of cabinet inspection, the governor said.
Gen Prayut has expressed concern about flooding in the Northeast after it was lashed by tropical depression Sonca late last month.
Last week, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation announced 16 provinces had been ravaged by floods.
The hardest hit was Sakon Nakhon. In the downtown area of the province's main city -- like many parts of Thailand, the province and city share a common name -- many residents were forced to evacuate, while other towns and districts also took a battering.
Media reports say at least five districts in Nakhon Ratchasima -- Thepharak, Prathai, Sida, Bua Lai and Non Daeng -- were flooded, affecting hundreds of villages.
In Prathai alone, an earth weir collapsed and inundated 10,000 rai of farmland and residential areas in 151 villages.
Gen Prayut has been following the situation closely, Mr Wichian said, adding the prime minister ordered him to discuss with officials what immediate help they can provide to affected villagers.
The premier's desire to inspect the aftermath of the floods also factored into his decision to chair the mobile cabinet meeting there, Mr Wichian said.
Gen Prayut may wish to glean first-hand information about inundated areas and boost the morale of local residents after one of the worst-recorded episodes of flooding in the Northeast, he added.