“After visiting numerous provincial areas, I find that our technology in processing agricultural products is not capable of competing with other countries,” he said.

“These local people are using local knowledge to process their products. I saw their potential for production, and thought that universities must provide additional know-how to them in improving their products’ design and packaging,” he added.

Somkid also said that the government wanted Thai universities to produce personnel who can support S-curve industries that the government aimed to promote, and also minor tourism areas.

“To reduce social inequality, we must improve local communities,” he concluded.