A joint meeting between National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the Cabinet was held on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at the Government House. Some of the meeting resolutions are as follows:
Title: Integrated plan for 2015 drought management
The Cabinet acknowledged the integrated plan for drought management for the year 2015 as proposed by Ministry of Interior.
Gist:
Ministry of Interior has put together an integrated plan for 2015 drought management based on the Cabinet’s resolution on February 10, 2015 as follows:
1.1 Each province was ordered to conduct a survey on areas expected to suffer agricultural damages (except rice) once encountering drought crisis. Provinces are also to come up with concrete action plans such as an irrigation system for water management, cooperation on artificial rain making, preparation of potential pumping spots, pumps and water trucks, wells, and distributing water to areas suffering water scarcity. Ares risking severe drought will be prioritized based on urgency. Assistance from the Government will be given according to the situation and need.
1.2 Integrated plan for drought management in 2015 focuses on the four following strategies:
2.1. Prevention and mitigation of impact – The strategy emphasizes on drought monitoring and prediction as well as warning alert for people especially in drought-prone areas in 31 provinces. Thai Meteorological Department, Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), and Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute are the main agencies responsible for the tasks. Meanwhile, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Public Relations Department, National Disaster Warning Center, Provincial authorities, Districts and Local Administrative are responsible for the warning and communication with the public.
2.2. Preparation for disaster – The strategy focuses on prevention and provision of water supply to help drought victims. The first priority is to provide water for consumption. Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Royal Irrigation Department, Department of Water Resources, Department of Groundwater Resources, Provincial Waterworks Authority, Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, Local Administrative Organization, and military units are responsible for the tasks. The Royal Thai Police is also assigned to protect people’s lives and belongings, while Ministry of Public Health will oversee people’s health during the drought season.
2.3. Emergency management – Measures include the establishment of regional and central operation centers, and campaigning for the management.
2.4. Post-disaster management – The strategy emphasizes implementation of assistance measures which include financial compensation as stated under relevant laws and regulations, employment and career promotion for the affected people. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Labor, Provinces, Districts, and Local Administrative Organization are responsible for the tasks.
Title: Implementation of National Strategic Plan for the Prevention of Corruption Phase II (2013-2017)
The Cabinet agreed that government agencies start putting guidelines and measures under the National Strategic Plan for the Prevention of Corruption Phase 2 (2013-2017) into practice. Implementation according to the Plan should be included in both four-year and annual action plans of each agency. Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC), Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC), and Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board (NESDB) will serve as the main agencies to support mobilization of the Plan.
The National Strategic Plan for the Prevention of Corruption Phase II (2013-2017) comprises five strategies and one measure as follows: Strategy 1: Instilling and encouraging attitude against corruption, focusing on adjusting the mindset of people of all sectors to maintain public interest; Strategy 2: Integrating the working of anti-corruption agencies and developing domestic anti-corruption network; Strategy 3: Cooperating with anti-corruption organizations as well as international networks; Strategy 4: Developing administrative system and tools to prevent and suppress corruption; Strategy 5: Creating the body of knowledge concerning anti-corruption among personnel of all sectors; and a measure on promoting prevention and suppression of corruption.
Title: Implementation and action plan on pushing for Thailand to become the cultural hub of ASEAN
The Cabinet was reported on the implementation and an action plan on pushing for Thailand to become the cultural hub of ASEAN as proposed by Ministry of Culture.
Gist:
Ministry of Culture reported that social and cultural dimension is one of the Three Pillars of the ASEAN Community. The Ministry’s implementation and action plan to push for Thailand to become ASEAN’s cultural hub is not only a preparation for the realization of ASEAN Community, but also to create mutual understanding and strengthen international relations through culture. This, in particular, will promote pride in the Thai culture and learning of cultural diversity.
Ministry of Culture laid out short, middle, and long-term implementation frameworks in a bid to propel Thailand as a center for cultural exchange in ASEAN. The plans consist of:
3.1 Mission on centers for training and cultural performances, which currently include:
1) SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SPAFA);
2) Underwater Archaeology Training Center of Asia-Pacific, located in Chanthaburi Province; and
3) Thailand Cultural Center.
3.2 Opening of “Andaman Center”, a research center for Andaman’s arts, culture and tradition in Phang Nga Province to provide knowledge about cultural heritage in six Andaman provinces.
3.3 Improvement of museums and historical sites to meet international standards.
3.4 Establishment of ASEAN Cultural Center which is being constructed at Rajdumnern Contemporary Art Center.
3.5 Project for learning and understanding of ASEAN identity and differences with an aim to make people adjust to and prepare for the establishment of ASEAN Community.
4. Ministry of Culture is expanding Thailand Cultural Center on a 58-rai land (from originally 23 rai). The first phase of the project will be completed in 2016 and the second phase in 2019, which will make Thailand a hub for global cultural exchange and learning.
Title: Draft Tehran Declaration
The Cabinet granted agreements to the proposals made by Ministry of Science and Technology as follows:
1. The Cabinet agreed to the draft Tehran Declaration. Ministry of Science and Technology is authorized to amend the draft declaration where necessary, in places not affecting the gist of the draft declaration and the benefits of Thailand, without obtaining another Cabinet approval;
2. The Minister of Science and Technology will be a signatory of the draft Tehran Declaration.
The draft Tehran Declaration concerns cooperation on science, technology and innovation for the sake of sustainable development. Cooperation will be emphasize on technology transfer and exchange of knowledge, experience and personnel between government and private agencies in order to reduce disparity among the member states. This also reflects mutual intention to promote cooperation on science, technology and innovation. The Declaration is neither a treaty under international law nor a contract under Section 23 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim), B.E. 2557 (2014).
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) February 24, 2015--