The cabinet met on Tuesday, October 22, 2013. Some of the decisions are as follows:
The Cabinet approved following suggestions from National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Commission (NDPMC):
1. Assign the year 2014 as year of national fire prevention under the slogan “Caution Can Prevent Fire”
2. Assign concerned agencies to implement the followings:
2.1 Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is to coordinate with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and concerned agencies to organize trainings on preparation and fire safety practices as well as to campaign on the need to install fire alarm devices in places likely to catch fire such as houses, buildings, offices, tall buildings, factories, shopping malls, and entertainment centers.
2.2 Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is to coordinate with Government Public Relations Department (PRD) to publicize knowledge about fire and fire prevention to public.
2.3 Every province is to observe a fire prevention week to create awareness and participation in the fire prevention.
The Cabinet approved draft Ministry of Finance Announcement excise tax deduction (no...) as proposed by Ministry of Finance.
Gist of draft announcement
According to the draft announcement, excise tax deduction period will be extended for another month from November 1, 2013 to November 30, 2013 for diesel oil containing sulfur content less than 0.005 per cent (at the rate of 0.005 baht per liter) and for diesel oil containing fatty acid methyl esters typed biodiesel content less than 4 per cent (at the rate of 0.005 baht per liter).
The Cabinet approved draft New Delhi Declaration on South — South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific as proposed by Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Should necessity arise to amend aforementioned document in inessential parts that will not result in country’s loss of benefits, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security may proceed without proposing further for the Cabinet’s consideration.
Gist
1. High Level Meeting on South — South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific (HLM) is a ministerial level meeting between Asia Pacific ministers responsible for child rights promotion and protection. This meeting is held once every 3 year by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with countries in the Asia and the Pacific.
2. India is scheduled to host “The Second High Level Meeting on South — South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific” during October 23-25, 2013 in New Delhi. At the meeting, New Delhi Declaration on South — South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific will be signed which will reinforce cooperation on child rights promotion and protection at both national and the Asia Pacific levels in 3 issues: 1) infantile development 2) adolescent development and 3) urban development for child rights.
The principle of New Delhi Declaration is in compliance with Convention on the Rights of the Child, in which Thailand joined as a member in 1992. It emphasizes non-selective treatment to rights to survive and thrive, respect towards children’s opinions, and recognition of children’s utmost benefits.
Following the suggestion from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cabinet,
1. Approved the drafting of an Agreement on visa exemption for general passport holders between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
2. Approved for Minister of Foreign Affairs or an authorized person to be the signatory of the Agreement.
3. Should necessity arise to amend the aforementioned Agreement in any inessential part to be in accordance with the country’s benefits and policies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs may proceed without further request for the Cabinet’s consideration.
Gist of draft agreement
1. This Agreement allows general passport holders of both countries to travel and reside in country of reception for no more than 14 days with visa exemption.
2. This Agreement allows arrival-departure at the following 23 Thai airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Muang, Chiang Mai, Chian Rai, Hat Yai, Phuket, Nan, Phitsanulok, Mae Sod, Mae Hong Son, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Krabi, Trang, Narathiwat, Ra Nong, Surat Thani, Hua Hin, Samui, Sukhothai and U Tapao, in accordance with Ministry of Interior’s announcement on regulation on immigration’s aviation channel.
3. Denial of entry, deduction of residing period and cancellation of residency can be done without informing of reasons.
4. Temporary termination of the Agreement can be done for the reasons of security and public health by submitting written notification to the other via diplomatic channel at least 15 days in advance.
5. Duration of the Agreement is not specified, and will be effective until one country submits a written notification for revocation. The revocation will become effective 60 day after submission of written notification via diplomatic channel.
--Cabinet Meeting (Yingluck Shinawatra) October 22, 2013--