The Cabinet met on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at Command Building, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows;
Title: Old city boundary and guideline for conservation and development of old cities (Chiang Rai Old City, Suphan Buri Old City, Rayong Old City, Buriram Old City and Old City of Takua Pa District)
The Cabinet agreed to the proposal made by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as follows:
1. The Cabinet agreed to the old city boundaries of Chiang Rai, Suphan Buri, Rayong, Buriram and Takua Pa District to be publicly announced according to the Regulation of the Prime Minister’s Office on Conservation and Development of Rattanakosin and Old Cities, B.E. 2546; and
2. The Cabinet agreed to the framework for conservation and development of old cities as guideline for implementation of concerned agencies
Title: Chao Phraya Riverside Development Project
The Cabinet agreed in principle to the Chao Phraya Riverside Development Project as proposed by Ministry of Interior.
Gist of the matter
Ministry of Interior has collaborated with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to conduct a study in order to design the initial concept of Chao Phraya Riverside development. The riverside areas will be developed to provide spaces for activities promoting health, bicycle riding, as well as recreational, sport and tourism activities. The development will also support safe traveling along the riverside with beautiful landscape which will become one of the landmarks of Thailand. Functional space will be above the maximum flood level, and be developed into a passageway supporting people riding bicycles and enjoying the river landscape. People can spend time relaxing, exercising and doing other health or recreational activities in the area. This will boost the space’s socio-economic value as well as the country’s overall economy. The initiative will be a pilot project for expansion to other areas.
In the initial phase, the development will begin from Rama VII Bridge to Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge for the length of 14 kilometers. Each side of the bridge is around 19.5 meters wide and 2.8 meters above the water level. The next phase of the project will cover the area from Phra Nangklao Bridge to Rama VII Bridge.
Title: Ratification of the Protocol to the ASEAN Charter on Dispute Settlement Mechanisms
As proposed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cabinet resolved to approve the ratification of the Protocol to the ASEAN Charter on Dispute Settlement Mechanisms for Ministry of Foreign Affairs to submit the instrument of ratification to ASEAN Secretary General for enforcement of the Protocol.
The Protocol determines mechanisms to settle disputes between ASEAN member states that arise from interpretation or exercise of ASEAN Charter or other documents as stated in Article 2 of the Protocol. It also states the rules of procedure for different mechanisms namely arbitration, conciliation, mediation and good offices.
Title: Draft Joint Statement of the Third Deputy Foreign Ministers' Meeting on East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC)
The Cabinet agreed to the proposal made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs as follows:
1. The Cabinet agreed to the draft Joint Statement of the Third Deputy Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC);
2. The Cabinet approved Minister of Foreign Affairs as signatory of the document; and
3. For amendment of the document where gist of the document or the benefit of Thailand are not affected, Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authorized to proceed without obtaining another Cabinet approval.
Gist of the matter
Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported as follows:
1. Thailand will host the Third Deputy Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) in Bangkok during May 19-20, 2015. The Joint Statement of the meeting will be adopted. This Joint Statement is in line with Thailand’s policy on creating connectivity across the Greater Mekong Subregion which will promote trade, investment, tourism and people’s visits between Thailand, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam, as well as bring better wellbeing to the people residing in the areas. The Joint Statement contains essence and progress of East-West Economic Corridor development, including remaining challenges and future direction. Therefore, it is neither a treaty under international law, nor a contract as stated in Section 23 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim), B.E. 2557.
Title: Emergency financial aid to Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
As proposed by the Secretariat of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet approved provision of emergency financial aid of 150 million baht (around 4.545 million US dollars) to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal raised through the emergency donation account as of May 7, 2015, at 1600hrs, which will be presented through the United Nations and other relevant agencies at the initial phase as follows:
1. One million US dollars for the government of Nepal
2. One million US dollars for the International Flash Appeal for Nepal, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)
3. One million US dollars for the World Health Organization (WHO)
4. One million US dollars for UNICEF
The total amount would be four million US dollars or 132 million baht, whereas 17 million baht would remain in the account.
The Secretariat of the Prime Minister would prepare donation allocation. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to contact representatives to receive the donation from the Prime Minister.
Title: The Eleventh Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF11)
The Cabinet agreed to the proposal made by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as follows:
1. The Cabinet agreed in principle the Non-Paper on Possible Elements for Inclusion in the Ministerial Declaration of UNFF11 and the Non-Paper on Possible Elements for Inclusion in the UNFF11 Resolution on the IAF Beyond 2015 of the United Nations Forums on Forests;
2. The Cabinet agreed in principle the draft Statement by Head of Delegation, Thailand at the High Levels Segment of the Eleventh Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests;
3. The Cabinet appointed Head of Delegation, Thailand at the High Levels Segment of the Eleventh Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests to consider acknowledgement of the Ministerial Declaration and the International Arrangement on Forest (IAF) Beyond 2015 of the Eleventh Session of the United Nations Forums on Forests; and
4. Amendment of both Non-Papers and the draft Statement by Head of Delegation where the gist of the document or the benefit of Thailand are not affected, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is authorized to proceed without obtaining another Cabinet approval.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) May 12, 2015--