Title: Hosting of World Tourism Day 2016
The Cabinet approved the proposal submitted by Ministry of Tourism and Sports for Thailand to host World Tourism Day 2016.
Gist of the matter
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that Thailand had been a member of the United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) since 1975, and an active part of the UNWTO’s committees. Thailand, through Ministry of Tourism and Sports, was selected Chairman of the Commission for East Asia and the Pacific from 2007 to 2009, and was appointed for one more term during 2010-2011. The country also hosted the 24th Joint Meeting UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific, and UNWTO Commission for South Asia in Chiang Mai Province. To be the host of World Tourism Day would be an opportunity to present Thailand’s image and potentials in hosting of world class events and management of tourism affairs, especially in terms of tourist attractions, services, and safety. Thailand could also promote cultural tourism to publicize its good image and attract quality tourists.
Title: Guideline for prevention of corruption in Government procurement
The Cabinet approved in principle the cooperative project for prevention of corruption in Government procurement as proposed by the Ministry of Finance.
The report of the Ministry of Finance is as follows:
Project on prevention of corruption in government procurement, which is the collaboration between the government sector, the private sector, and all other sectors of Thailand, will be implemented to build a network that jointly creates standards for government procurement in a transparent manner. The project should reduce corruption occurring from the procurement procedure, as well as encourage contended private companies to prevent and act against corruption, and to ensure transparency in their work operation. The private sector and general public will be engaged in the inspection of government procurement with an aim to maximize efficiency of the country’s budget spending. The Integrity Pact is being adopted, providing an agreement between the government agency and contended private companies to abstain from corrupt practices in the procurement process and maintain transparency and justice throughout the procurement process and contract. External observers will also be engaged in monitoring the procurement. Such agreement focuses on inspection and punishment for corruption, which is in line with government policies regarding corruption prevention as an urgent agenda. Good governance will be promoted along with prevention and suppression of corruption and misconduct in the government sector. Promotion and support for association of private companies and relevant networks established to monitor government officials or anti- corruption and misconduct will be encouraged to ensure efficient utilization of the country’s resources and maximize benefits for society at large.
Title: Remote Rural Household Electrification Project (RHEP)
The Cabinet granted the following approval and agreement to the proposals made by the Ministry of Interior:
1. Approval for the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to implement the Remote Rural Household Electrification Project (RHEP) worth 1.215 billion baht of investment. The project will be funded through domestic loans worth 910 million baht and PEA’s revenues worth 305 million baht.
2. Agreement to the PEA’s taking domestic loans amounting 910 million baht to invest in the project. The PEA will request loans as necessary until project completion.
Gist of the matter
The Ministry of Interior reported that the PEA has initiated the Remote Rural Household Electrification Project (RHEP) planned for the period 2013-2017. The objective is to expand access to electricity to every rural household in remote areas following the government policy. The areas under the PEA’s responsibility cover 74 provinces. Electrification will be expanded to around 11,600 households.
Title: Measure for corruption and forest encroachment prevention
The Cabinet acknowledged the measure for corruption and forest encroachment prevention as proposed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The NACC has studied both the measure for corruption prevention and one for forest encroachment prevention to avoid factors providing opportunities for corruption based on the Principle of the Legality of Administrative Action and Good Governance theory. Relevant laws, ministerial regulations and Cabinet resolutions will also be studied. Three measures will be implemented: 1) policy measure, 2) administrative measure, and 3) legal measure.
Title: Approval for Thai government to host joint meetings and training programs in collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
The Cabinet agreed to the proposals made by the Ministry of Science and Technology to let the Office of Atoms for Peace host three events in Thailand. The Office of Atoms for Peace will also cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform the Thai permanent delegation to Vienna, Austria and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about organizing the following events:
1. The IAEA Mid-Term Review Meeting in Bangkok Thailand during February 9-13, 2015 under the RAS/5/066 “Promoting the Sharing of Expertise and Infrastructure for Dengue Vector Surveillance toward Integration of the Sterile Insect Technique with Conventional Control Methods among South and South East Asian Countries”;
2. The IAEA Regional Training Course on Isotope and Geochemical Applications in Flood Risk Mitigation in Bangkok, Thailand during February 23-27, 2015 under the RAS/5/069 “Complementing Conventional Approaches with Nuclear Techniques toward Flood Risk Mitigation and Post-Flood Rehabilitation Efforts in Asia”; and
3. The IAEA/RCA First Coordination Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand during March 16-20, 2015 under the RAS/5/071 “Strengthening Adaptive Climate Change Strategies for Food Security through the use of Food Irradiation (RCA)”.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) February 3, 2015--