The Cabinet met on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at Command Building I, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows;
The Cabinet approved draft ministerial regulation (No....) B.E. .... under the Immigration Act, B.E. 2522 (Visa On Arrival stamping fee) as proposed by the Royal Thai Police Headquarters, and forwarded the draft regulation to Office of the Council of State for further deliberation.
The Royal Thai Police Headquarters reported that number of tourists requested for stamping at Visa On Arrival are now higher than those applying for visa at embassies or consulates as it is more convenient, faster, and has more flexible screening process. The circumstance results in a delay in stamping process, and undermining the screening standard of immigration officers, which might increase the risk of infiltration, putting the country's security and order at risk. In light of this, it is decided to increase the stamping fee at Visa On Arrival for tourists (single entry) from 1,000 Baht to 2,000 Baht in order to ensure efficiency of immigration staff, and be in line with the Royal Thai Police Headquarters’ mission in keeping public order and national security.
The Cabinet agreed in principle to the Draft Regulation of the Prime Minister's Office on Preparation Committee for Digital Economy and Society (Revised) B.E. 2558, as proposed by Ministry of Information and Communication Technlogy, and forwared to the Inspection Committee on Draft Laws and Subordinate Legislations for further deliberation.
Gist of the Draft Regulation is the adjustment of Preparatory Committee for Digital Economy and Society by adding "Deputy Prime Minister overseeing Ministry of Information and Communication Technology" as deputy chairman of the Committee, and changing committee member and assistant secretary from "assigned Deputy Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Information and Communication Technology" to "assigned representative of Ministry of Information and Communication Technology ".
Title: Controlled goods and services under Price of Goods and Services Act, B.E. 2552
The Cabinet approved 45 items under the 2016 list on controlled goods and services agreed by the central council for price of goods and services, as proposed by Ministry of Commerce.
Ministry of Commerce reported that the 2016 list for controlled goods and services agreed by the central council for price of goods and services covers 45 major items, (42 goods, and three services) as follows:
Category / Numbers (items)
List of goods and services
Food/18
(1) garlic
(2) paddy and rice
(3) corn
(4) cassava and its products
(5) eggs
(6) pig and pork
(7) sugar
(8) edible and non-edible oil and fat from crops or animals
(9) sweetened condensed milk, condensed milk, recombined milk, filled milk
(10) powdered milk, fresh milk
(11) wheat flour
(12) foods packaged in hermetically sealed containers
(13) convenience foods packed in sealed containers
(14) oil palm fruits
(15) wheat
(16) longan
(17) durian
(18) mangosteen
Daily consumables category/3
(1) powdered detergent
(2) sanitary napkin
(3) toilet paper and facial tissue
Agricultural inputs category/6
(1) fertilizer
(2) pest prevention, pesticides, crop solutions
(3) concentrated feed
(4) water pump
(5) rice tractor
(6) rice harvesters
Construction materials category/4
(1) cement
(2) steel bar, structural steel, steel plate
(3) electric wire
(4) PVC pipe
Paper and paper products category/3
(1) paper for corrugated board production and Kraft paper
(2) printing and writing paper
(3) pulp
Transport equipment category/3
(1) car batteries
(2) motorcycle and car tires
(3) motorcycles, passenger cars, and trucks
Petroleum products category/3
(1) liquefied petroleum gas
(2) fuel oil
(3) plastic resin
Drugs/1
drugs
others/1
school uniforms
Services category/3
(1) authorizing dissemination of copyright songs for commercial use
(2) storage service or rent
(3) agricultural services.
Notes:
1.) 41 items are original controlled goods and services
2.) 4 items are newly-added goods, that is, wheat, longan, durian and mangosteen
The Cabinet acknowledged the report of National Committee on the Elderly on Thai elderly situation in 2014, as proposed by Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
In 2014, Thailand has 5.6 million young olds, 3 million middle-olds, and 1.4 million old-olds, and in 2040, proportion of senior citizens at the old-old stage (aged over 80) is likely to double or increase faster than other stages. Risks on health problems, impairment, dependence and living condition (living alone or with old-old spouse) have increased especially in the urban and municipal area. Based on survey of the elderly people in 2014, one-third of the senior citizens earn below poverty line. Major sources of income are from their offspring and work. However, tendency of relying on their offspring has decreased as senior citizens are likely to work more.
Thai population is aging rapidly and the country will become complete aging society by the next decade, therefore, the government must implement the following policy and measures to support aging society
1. provide support to elderly to have secure and honorable lives
2. promote elderly healthcare
3. encourage elderly people to have secure and sustainable income protection
4. implement plan for elderly people in cases of disaster
Title: Request for issuing and signing of Memorandum on Cooperation between the Governments of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Governments of the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea on Strengthening of Tourism Cooperation
1. The Cabinet approved issuing and signing of Memorandum on Cooperation between the Governments of Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Governments of the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea on Strengthening of Tourism Cooperation. Ministry of Tourism and Sports is authorized to amend the draft document where necessary, if not affecting gist of the document, without submitting to the Cabinet for further consideration.
2. Minister of Tourism and Sports (Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul) is authorized to endorse the Memorandum.
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to issue the Full Power for the signatory.
The Draft Memorandum aims to facilitate convenience in travelling and visiting of tourists, make public relations of the development of tourism quality, and promote other areas of collaboration, such as supporting and promoting participation of community businesses and other sectors. The draft Memorandum will focus on tourist destinations and products of partner states, joint marketing and activities in tourism through ASEAN-China Centre, ASEAN-Japan Centre and ASEAN-Korea Centre.
Title: Appointment of Thai delegation in International Tripartite Rubber Council between Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia
The Cabinet approved as follows:
1. The Cabinet approved Chairman or President of Rubber Authority of Thailand as Thai delegate in the International Tripartite Rubber Council (ITRC), replacing Director General of Department of Agriculture
2. Rubber Authority of Thailand is authorized to act as coordinator of International Rubber Consortium Limited (IRCo) in replace with Department of Agriculture.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) January 19, 2016--