The Cabinet met on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at Santi Maitree Building, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows; Title: Tourism stimulating measure
As proposed by Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Cabinet approved in principle to encourage public offices, state enterprises, and local administrations to hold meetings, trainings, and seminars at legally registered hotels upcountry. If the meetings/seminars/trainings are planned to be held in the Northern part of the country, especially in Chiang Mai, priority should go to the International Convention and Exhibition Centre Commemorating His Majesty’s 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary as intended venue.
Gist of the matter
This is in accordance with the Government’s announcement to designate 2015 as the year of “Thainess Tourism”, and put it a national agenda to promote tourism as an economic tool to bring more revenue to the country, as well as to enhance national competitiveness as part of the preparedness for ASEAN Community this year. The policy is also aimed at raising awareness and pride of the Thai people on ‘Thainess’.
In order to efficiently implement the policy, public offices, state enterprises, and local administrations should be encouraged to hold meetings, trainings, and seminars upcountry, especially at legally registered hotels. If the meetings/seminars/trainings are planned to be held in the Northern part of the country, particularly in Chiang Mai, priority should go to the International Convention and Exhibition Centre Commemorating His Majesty’s 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary as an intended venue.
The measure would help accelerate disbursement of the Government’s FY2015 budget, and promote domestic tourism. Undertakings related to the policy should be done by the 3rd and 4th quarters.
Title: Follow-up report on the Cabinet’s earlier approval about observation of the demise date of King Ananda Mahidol Phra Atthama Ramathibodin (Rama VIII) as state ceremonial day
As proposed by Ministry of Culture, the Cabinet acknowledged a follow-up report on the Cabinet’s earlier approval about observation of the demise date of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) as state ceremonial day, but not a holiday.
Gist of the matter
Ministry of Culture reported the followings:
1) Production of video documentary: Ministry of Culture produced a 4-minute video documentary to be broadcasted on the Television Pool of Thailand (TV Pool) on June 9, 2015 which marks the anniversary of King Rama VIII’s passing away.
2) Publication of commemorative book: Ministry of Culture published a book “Phra Atthama Ramathibodin” which features King Rama VIII’s royal works and practices. The book will be disseminated to offices and individuals at the wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate King Rama VIII’s passing away which will be held at the Monument of King Rama VIII, as well as to provincial offices and agencies.
Title: Approval on Protocol Amending the Revised Memorandum of Understanding of the Establishment of the ASEAN Foundation
As proposed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cabinet made the following deliberations:
1) Approved Protocol Amending the Revised Memorandum of Understanding of the Establishment of the ASEAN Foundation, and should there be any amendment in any non-essential part, Ministry of Foreign Affairs can make amendment without having to resubmit to the Cabinet.
2) Appoint Permanent Representative of Thailand to ASEAN or his representative to adopt Protocol Amending the Revised Memorandum of Understanding of the Establishment of the ASEAN Foundation.
3) Approved issuance of Full Powers to Permanent Representative of Thailand to ASEAN to represent Minister of Foreign Affairs as the signatory of the Protocol.
Gist of the matter
Gist is to revise acceptance protocol, signatures, and effectuality. It is stipulated that signatory of the Memorandum of Understanding be revised from ASEAN Coordinating Council to ASEAN member states. The Protocol Amending the Revised Memorandum of Understanding of the Establishment of the ASEAN Foundation will be adopted during the ASEAN Ministers Meeting (AMM) in August 2015.
Title: 2nd Addendum of European External Action Service (EEAS)’s Grant Contract under ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the EU (ARISE)
As proposed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cabinet made the following approvals:
1) Approved 2nd Addendum of European External Action Service (EEAS)’s Grant Contract under ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the EU (ARISE), and should there be any amendment in any non-essential part, Ministry of Foreign Affairs can make amendment without having to resubmit to the Cabinet.
2) Approved for ASEAN Secretary-General or representative to be the signatory. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to notify ASEAN Secretariat, through Permanent Representative of Thailand to ASEAN, on the aforementioned approvals of the Thai Government.
Gist of the matter
Thailand approved financial support under ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the EU (ARISE), which was signed by ASEAN Secretary-General and EU representative on December 12, 2011. Later, draft grant contract on ARISE program was proposed by EU’s European External Action Service (EEAS) which stipulated the financial support of €3.3 million for the duration of March 1, 2013- February 28, 2017 to support implementation of key regional integration initiatives. ASEAN Secretary-General and EU representative signed the draft grant contract on January 17, 2013.
The 2nd Addendum to the contract is aimed to: 1) extend implementation period for another 9 months to end on November 30, 2015, instead of February 28, 2015; 2) reallocate unused budget to accommodate immediate needs in capacity enhancement of the program.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) June 9, 2015--