The Cabinet met on Tuesday, January 05, 2016 at Command Building I, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows;
Title: Draft Regulation of the Prime Minister's Office on International Economic Policy (No. ...) B.E....
The Cabinet agreed and approved as follows.
1. The Cabinet resolved to agree in principle to the Draft Regulation of the Prime Minister's Office on International Economic Policy (No. ...) B.E. ... as proposed by Ministry of Commerce. Ministry of Commerce is also requested to coordinate with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board on the matter.
2. The Cabinet approved termination of the Working Group on International Trade Negotiation Strategies following the Cabinet's resolution on April 20, 2015.
Ministry of Commerce suggested that Pertaining to regulation of the Prime Minsiter's Office on International Development B.E. 2558, the Cabinet has authorised International Trade Development Commission to lay out policy and plans on international trade development as well as set goals and strategies for export, import of production materials necessary for enhancement of national competitiveness. However, the authority of International Trade Development Commission is overlapped with that of Council on International Economic Policy. Therefore, it is suitable to adjust the authority of Council on International Economic Policy in order to make clear on the issue and to proceed according to International Economic Strategies and Policies. In addition to its authority, Council on International Economic Policy must amend its structure, according to the Draft Regulation of the Prime Minister's Office on International Economic Policy B.E. 2002 and its revisions, in a bid to promote work integration among concerned agencies and to meet current economic situation.
Title: Draft Bill on Money Exchange Control (No. ...) B.E....
The Cabinet agreed in principle on Draft Bill on Money Exchange Control (No. ...) B.E. ... as proposed by Ministry of Finance, and ordered for the draft to be forwarded to the Office of Council of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Coordinating Committee of National Legislative Assembly respectively for their review, before submitting to National Legislative Assembly for approval.
1. Thailand has become a member of Anti-Pafic Group on Money Laundering (APG) since 2001. As APG members are obliged to be evaluated on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Measure, Thailand is set to undergo the 3rd evaluation in 2016, and Anti-Money Laundering Act and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act need to be amended to meet global standard by tightening restriction on money inflow, and implementing cross-border financial instrument control measure. The amendment aims to include punishments of those offences under customs law, allowing customs officials to search, screen and confiscate property in dispute. If Thailand does not amend the aforementioned laws, it is likely that it will not pass the evaluation.
2. Thailand will amend Draft Bill on Money Exchange Control (No. …) B.E. …, and will submit a report to FATF by May 2016 to get ready for the upcoming evaluation in November, 2016.
Title: Request for amendment on the Cabinet’s resolution, dated September 1, 2015, regarding the implementation of urgent project to assist farmers and underprivileged people in a bid to strengthen sustainable growth and provide agricultural machinery to farmers
The Cabinet approved a proposal made by Ministry of Interior requesting to amend the Cabinet’s resolution on September 1, 2015 regarding the implementation of urgent project to help farmers and underprivileged people in a bid to strengthen sustainable growth and provide agricultural machinery to farmers by extending the deadline of the operations and budget disbursement from December 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016.
Title: Partnership for Market Readiness (PMR)
The Cabinet agreed on proposals made by Ministry of Finance as follows:
1. The Cabinet agreed on the Partnership for Market Readiness (PMR).
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to issue the Full Power for Ministry of Finance and Deputy Permanent Secretary Suttirat Rattanachot, Head of Mission on Expenditure and Debt, is authorised to act as signatory of the Partnership for Market Readiness on behalf of the Thai government.
Gist of the matter
Ministry of Finance reported that
1. Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) (TGO) realized that market mechanism is a key to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it had seek World Bank’s advice on rules and regulations for market readiness to support reduction of greenhose gas emissions. TGO has prepared the Draft Grant Agreement and will act as Executing Agency and Implementing Agency.
2. The project aims to provide support in research, analysis and development on domestic market mechanism in a bid to enhance efficient energy use and reduce greenhouse gas by monitoring greenhouse gas emission in municipalities, model communities, and high energy consumption industries to draw comparison between the usage and goals.
3. Outcome of the project implementation is market readiness for greenhouse gas emissions through the following mechanisms 1) Energy Performance Certificate Scheme (EPC), and 2) Low Carbon City Program (LCC).
The total amount of aid is 3 million US dollars from Multi-Donor Trust Fund managed by World Bank.
Title : Request for approval on allocation of scholarships for Ministry of Foreign Affairs Phase 4 (FY 2017-2026 budget)
The Cabinet approved proposals made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs as follows:
1. The Cabinet approved on the allocation of 30 scholarships for Ministry of Foreign Affairs Phase 4, for 10 years (FY 2017-2026 budget).
2. The Cabinet approved the implementation budget of 330 million Baht (approximately 6 million British Pound based on exchange rate of 1 British Pound to 55 Thai Baht on December 1, 2015).
Title: Request for opening of temporary border crossing point for construction of the 2nd bridge across Moei river, Mae Sot, Tak
The Cabinet agreed to the following proposals made by Office of the National Security Council as follows:
1. The Cabinet acknowledged the opening of temporary border crossing point in order to construct the 2nd bridge acroose Moei river between Wang Ta Kien Tai village, Tha Sai Luat, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand and Yea Poo village, Myawaddy, Kayin State, Myanmar.
2. Ministry of Transport is assigned to cooperate with related agencies to set rules, regulations to make sure that national security is not affected.
3. All operations must be conducted with caution by strictly following the Cabinet’s resolution, dated October 12, 1999 and May 10, 2005. Once the construction project is achieved, the border crossing point needs to be shut down immediately.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) January 05, 2016--