The cabinet met on Monday, November 25, 2013. Some of the decisions are as follows:
The Cabinet approved the following suggestions made by Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO):
1. Assigned the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to arrange for MOU with the National Bank of Cambodia.
2. Assigned Secretary to AMLO as signatory of MOU on cooperation on exchange of financial transaction information between Thailand and National Bank of Cambodia.
3. Should necessity arise to amend the document in inessential parts that will not affect the essence of draft MOU, AMLO may proceed without requesting for further approval from the Cabinet.
The Cabinet agreed in principle for Ministry of Foreign Affairs to disburse over year from 2013 central budget, reserved fund for emergency or necessary cases approved by Ministry of Finance for the maximum amount of 140,000,000 Baht for the purpose of evacuation and assistance to Thai citizens in Egypt, as suggested by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to make further agreement in details with the Budget Bureau based on opinions from the Budget Bureau.
The Cabinet acknowledged summary report of tourists between the period of January-October 2013 made by Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Gist
1. Tourists in October, 2013
In October, 2013, there are 2,065,518 tourists traveling to Thailand, an increase of 264,371 persons from the same period of previous year or 14.68 per cent. The increase was seen in tourists from all regions. Top-ten foreign tourists to Thailand are from China, Malaysia, Russia, Japan, Korea, Lao, India, Australia, Singapore and United Kingdom respectively.
2. Tourists between January-October 2013
There are 21,738,328 tourists traveling to Thailand between January-October 2013, an increase of 3,963,441 persons from the same period of previous year or 22.30 per cent. Constant increase of tourists to Thailand has been witnessed. Top-three regions that represent the highest number of tourists are East Asia, Europe and America. Top-ten foreign tourists to Thailand are from China, Malaysia, Russia, Japan, Korea, Lao, India, Australia, United Kingdom and Singapore respectively.
3. Factors contributing to the increase of tourists to Thailand:
The factors include constant growth of global tourism, popularity of Thai tourist destinations that are well-known and acknowledged by foreign tourists, diversity of Thailand?s tourism products and services, Thai tourism worthiness, Thai people?s friendliness, and tourism security. Problems that may impact the overall number of tourists during the last two month of this year include: impact of China?s enforcement of tourism law, internal political situation, and security problem/crimes towards tourists.
4. Trend of tourists in 2013
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), global tourism trends in 2013 will constantly grow by 3-4 per cent from the previous year. As for Thailand, the number of incoming tourists in 2013 is expected to grow no less than the expected goal, based on the statistical analysis of incoming tourists during the first seven months of 2013, trend of global tourism, as well as plans and measures related to tourism development, and publicity and marketing stimulation of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport and other concerned agencies.
2.5 Thai tourists travelling abroad in 2013
Between January-October, 2013, there are 5,842,311 Thai tourists travelling abroad, an increase of 166,944 persons or 2.94 per cent from the same period of previous year. East Asia is a major destination for the Thai tourists, and constant increase on the trend is expected to be seen.
Following suggestions from Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Cabinet,
1. Agreed with the donation of 5,000 tons of 5% broken rice in aid for the Philippines through APTERR, for the total value of 73.6 million Baht (calculating from CIF price for 5% broken white rice at 460 US dollars per ton, for 2.3 million US dollars, and based on exchange rate of November 21, 2013 at 32 Baht per 1 US dollar).
2. Approved 73.6 million Baht from 2014 central budget, reserved fund for emergency or necessary cases.
3. Assigned the Marketing Organization for Farmers (MOF) to be responsible for the purchase of 5% broken rice, packaging, and shipping of rice to the Philippines.
4. Assigned Office of Agricultural Economics, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, in its capacity as Thai representative to APTERR council, to coordinate with APTERR Secretariat on the distribution of rice based on APTERR?s procedures. Office of Agricultural Economics is to report outcomes of the implementation to the Cabinet later.
Following suggestions from Ministry of Industry, the Cabinet,
1. Agreed with draft Lima Declaration on inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
2. Approved leader of the Thai delegation or an authorized person who participates in the general session of the 15th General Conference of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to endorse draft Lima Declaration on inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
3. Should necessity arise to amend wordings of draft Lima Declaration on inclusive and sustainable industrial development in inessential parts that will not result in country?s loss of benefits, Thai delegation may proceed without the Cabinet?s further approval.
--Cabinet Meeting (Yingluck Shinawatra) November 25, 2013--