The cabinet met on Tuesday, August 13, 2013. Some of the decisions are as follows:
The Cabinet approved in principle draft ministerial regulation on Chiang Saen port zone and fee under the navigation in Thai waters law B.E. ... following the suggestion from Ministry of Transportation.
Fact
According to Ministry of Transportation, Marine Department has built a port in Mekong River in the area of Ban Saeo sub-district, Chiang Saen district, Chiang Rai province, to accommodate river transportation along the area of Mekong upper region countries which is under the Agreement on commercial navigation of Lanchang River - Mekong River made between People's Republic of China (PRC), Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Union of Myanmar, and Kingdom of Thailand. In order to facilitate management of water transportation traffic and system, and water pollution control, as well as environmental preservation, zoning of Chiang Saen port and requirement for all types of ships entering or departing Chiang Saen port zone to pay for fee charge are, therefore, approved.
Gist of the draft ministerial regulation
Marine Department is authorized to collect fee for permits that must be issued for the following rates:
1.1 Permit for Thai ships of 60 ton gross onwards or foreign ships to leave Chiang Saen port zone: 100 baht.
1.2 Permit for Thai ships of 60 ton gross onwards or foreign ships to park or anchor in Chiang Saen port or in any area of Chiang Saen port zone: 100 baht.
1.3 This ministerial regulation is to be effective after 90 day period subsequent to the announcement in the Government Gazette.
As proposed by the Office of the National Security Council, the Cabinet agreed to announce Aidilfitri, Aidiladha, and Chinese Holiday as additional 3 public holidays in Songkhla province to completely cover the areas that are under the responsibility of Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) following the resolution made in 2/2556 meeting of Center for Mobilization of Policy & Strategy to Solve Problems in Southern Border Provinces on April 2, 2013.
Following the resolution of made by the first Cabinet Sub-committee (economic) in its 4/2556 meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, on August 7, 2013, the Cabinet:
1. Agreed with the 4,841 million baht budget for the railing system of the fourth phase mass rapid transit purple line project, Bang Yai — Bang Sue (Bang Pai - Tao Poon station), and assigned the committee that was set up in pursuant to section 13 of an Act on Private Participation in State Undertaking B.E. 2535 to inform BMCL to adjust its cost of the railing system within the aforementioned budget. If BMCL cannot make the cost adjustment, the committee that was set up in pursuant to section 13 of an Act on Private Participation in State Undertaking B.E. 2535 must proceed according to the law.
2. Assigned the committee that was set up in pursuant to section 13 of an Act on Private Participation in State Undertaking B.E. 2535 to negotiate with BMCL on the amendment of contract based on the suggestions of Office of the Attorney General and Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA).
3. Agreed in principle with the private participation for the investment in the fifth phase of mass rapid transit purple line project (Tao Poon - Bang Sue Section) through PPP Net Cost approach. However, if this approach cannot be implemented, PPP Gross Cost approach should be followed. the committee that was set up in pursuant to section 13 of an Act on Private Participation in State Undertaking B.E. 2535 is to strictly proceed in accordance with the Act on Private Participation in State Undertaking B.E. 2535.
The Cabinet approved the draft negotiation framework on free trade agreement between Thailand and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) following the suggestion from Ministry of Commerce. The aforementioned draft is to be presented to the House of Representatives for approval in pursuant to article 190(3) of Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand.
The free trade agreement with EFTA will increase an opportunity for Thailand to be the hub of EFTA on trade and investment within ASEAN, particularly in food processing industry, biotechnology, medicine and pharmaceuticals, chemicals, as well as financial and banking services. The agreement also paves way for Thailand to be EFTA’s base of investment and production. Moreover, Norway’s Government Pension Fund, which is world’s biggest Sovereign Wealth Fund, expresses interest to invest in Thailand, coupling with the fact that EFTA’s FTA with Singapore is through, and it is in the process of FTA negotiation with Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia, it is, therefore, necessary to immediately initiate the negotiation on free trade agreement with EFTA in order to maintain the country’s competitiveness in the EFTA’s market.
The Cabinet acknowledged the special keynote speech on “Uniting for the future: Learning from each other’s experience” following the suggestion from Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Gist
Objective of the keynote speech is to share and exchange experiences, lessons and good practices between famous leaders from various countries who have experiences in national reconciliation and Thai public and all concerned sectors. It is also to encourage adoption of knowledge and experiences gained from other countries in order to create national harmony among the people of different groups and perspectives.
Expected benefits
1. Public and all concerned sectors in Thailand will be made aware of the importance of democracy and national reconciliation process through international experiences and lessons sharing.
2. Encourage adoption of knowledge and experiences gained from other countries in order to create national harmony among the people of different groups and perspectives.
Following the notification of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China received through Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cabinet approved the proposal of the Government of the People's Republic of China to appoint Mr. Ning Fukui as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Thailand, whose residence is in Bangkok, as a replacement of Mr. Guan Mu.
--Cabinet Meeting (Yingluck Shinawatra) August 13, 2013--