Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is currently in Thailand on a five-day official visit. Oli went there for the first time at the friendly invitation of Thai Prime Minister Maitong Tarn Shinawatra.

Along with his official visit to Thailand, he will also participate in the sixth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

Our leaders visit foreign countries many times but do not learn anything from there. Development here is at a snail's pace, prosperity is lagging behind and the common people have been suffering for years. Thailand is the fifth largest rice producing country in the world. How can they increase their productivity? How has the government helped? If the Prime Minister learns from Thailand how to distribute fertilizers and seeds on time, the country would also benefit.

Just two months ago, when I arrived in Thailand again, I was stunned by the splendor and glitz there. Our Prime Minister also thinks that how the products are promoted in the hotels there is an important thing to look at. From 10 years ago to now, the progress Thailand has made is truly commendable. I saw there that if you have the willpower, you can do a lot in a short time.

Whether it is the lack of vision and will power in our leaders or lack of knowledge of development methods, it is time to have a serious discussion about the difference in the development of Nepal and Thailand. Foreign visits of high-ranking leaders should not only be for their personal entertainment but should also help in the development of the country.

While boating on the Chao Phrayi River in the middle of the capital city of Bangkok, our Gwarko remembered a small flyover bridge that has not been completed in four years. I compared the road from Bangkok to Pattaya and the road from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Remembering these things felt nothing but sorrow.

- Gopal Devkota , Kathmandu Metropolitan City-7, Chabhil Peoplebot