The Cabinet met on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at Command Building1, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows;
Title: Amendment of tariff rates in tariff reduction list attached to the Third Protocol to Amend the Agreement on Trade in Goods under the Framework Agreement of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea
The Cabinet acknowledged amendment of tariff rates in tariff reduction list attached to the Third Protocol to Amend the Agreement on Trade in Goods under the Framework Agreement of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea as proposed by the Ministry of Commerce.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that tariff reduction list (14 HS Codes in the Sensitive List) attached to the Third Protocol had been amended as approved earlier by the cabinet. Rates for ad valorem duty and specific rate duty (5 percent or 0.5 Baht per kilogram) had been specified, and whatever higher duty rate would be used. Customs Department will make amendment according to Thailand’s obligation under ASEAN - Republic of Korea free trade agreement which determine the duty rate at 0-5 percent from January 1, 2016 onwards.
Title: Hosting the 49th International Chemistry Olympiad 2017
As proposed by Ministry of Education, the Cabinet approved for Thailand to host the 49th International Chemistry Olympiad 2017. Preparation will be made 2 years prior to the competition (2015-2016) plus the competition year (2017), making the implementation period of 3 years.
Gist
Ministry of Education reported that:
Thailand, through the collaboration between Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology, Promotion of Academic Olympiad and Development of Science Education Foundation under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, Chemical Society of Thailand under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol, and other concerned educational institutes, have selected Thai representatives to participate in International Chemistry Olympiad for 25 times. The country was also honored to host the 31st International Chemistry Olympiad 1999 at Kasetsart University and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. This demonstrates Thailand’s preparedness in hosting international academic competitions.
Sub-committee for the selection of Thai math and science Olympiad representatives views that Thailand has potential and capability to host another International Chemistry Olympiad, and therefore approved for Thailand to host the 49th International Chemistry Olympiad 2017 to honor Princess Chulabhorn Walailak’s 60 birthday anniversary on July 4, 2017 and to promote Thailand’s reputation and to gain academic acknowledgement among the international community which will benefit the country and its people.
Title: Requesting approval for Conserving Habitats for Globally Important Flora and Fauna in Production Landscape project
The Cabinet approved the following proposals of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment:
1. Approved draft proposal on Conserving Habitats for the Globally Important Flora and Fauna in Production Landscape Project
2. Authorized Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to implement the Globally Important Flora and Fauna in Production Landscape Project, and assigned Secretary-General of Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning or a representative as co-signatory of the Project document with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) representative
3. In case of amendment in the draft proposal in no significant and non-obligatory parts, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is to proceed without proposing the Cabinet for consideration.
Gist
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment reported that:
1. Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, Zoological Park Organization under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, and UNDP have collaborated in developing a project for Conserving Habitats for Globally Important Flora and Fauna in Production Landscape Project in order to propose for the 5th round of funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project is aimed to conserve 3 endangered species and habitats of animals and plants that are globally important and close to extinction, which are: 1) Spoon-billed Sandpiper, inner gulf of Thailand 2) Crane, Buriram Province 3) Onion plant, Ranong and Phang Nga Province. Not only are the 3 species important to biodiversity in Thailand, their inhabited environments are also considered the areas for production landscape of Thailand.
2. The Conserving Habitats for Globally Important Flora and Fauna in Production Landscape Project proposal was approved by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment which acts as a liaison unit since September 18, 2012 according to the Cabinet resolution on May 9, 2006. The proposal was also approved by GFF Chief Executive Director and supported by the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) on September 3, 2014
3. The essence of the Conserving Habitats for Globally Important Flora and Fauna in Production Landscape Project is in line with the strategy for managing natural resources and environment toward sustainability under the 11th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2012 - 2016). The project is aimed for natural resources and environmental conservation, rehabilitation and sustainability through promotion of utilizing bio resources and fair profit sharing; protection of endangered lands and ecosystems which are also habitats of endangered species; and good management. Integration of natural resources and environment management will be undertaken in terms of areas, as well as improvement of tools and mechanisms, for effectiveness and consistency with the 2nd strategy of the biodiversity management integrated plan 2015 - 2021, which is to protect, conserve, and rehabilitate biodiversity.
Title: Approval of Pacific Alliance for Thailand as an observer
The Cabinet endorsed observer status of Thailand in the Pacific Alliance as proposed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Gist
Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported:
1. Following the Cabinet resolution on March 17, 2015, Ministry of Foreign Affairs proceeded with the application for Thailand to become an observer in the Pacific Alliance, and received the letter from the Embassy of the Republic of Peru in Thailand informing that Paracas Declaration, adopted in the 10th summit of the Pacific Alliance in Paracas, Peru, indicated that the Pacific Alliance welcomed Thailand (as well as Austria, Denmark, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, Indonesia, Poland, and Sweden) as an observer.
2. Being granted the observer status in Pacific Alliance reflected that current political situation in Thailand is not at all an obstacle to international relations with the countries in the Pacific Alliance. In addition, this will also be an opportunity for Thailand to promote collaborations with the Pacific Alliance and its member countries, as well as concrete collaborations between the ASEAN and the Pacific Alliance. In this regard, Thailand will be a coordinator for the ASEAN regarding ASEAN-Pacific Alliance relations in 2016.
Title: Aid for Myanmar flood victims
The Cabinet approved 2015 budget allocation, central budget, 2015 contingency and emergency spending of 9,780,000 Baht, as proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as aid provision to Myanmar flood victims. Detail of the provision is as follows:
1. Financial aid: 5,000,000 Baht
2. Budget for the provision of medicines and medical appliances: 4,000,000 Baht, to be provided by Ministry of Public Health
3. Budget for transportation of donated items: 780,000 Baht (for transporting 120 tons of donation items) by land transportation from Mae Sot - Myawaddy to Yangon (another relief center aside from Naypyidaw.)
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) August 11, 2015--