The Cabinet met on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Command Building I, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows;
The Cabinet acknowledged the proposals made by Ministry of Science and Technology on Plan for Promotion of Research & Development in support of Thailand’s electric vehicle industry.
Ministry of Science and Technology reported that
1. According to the Cabinet’s resolution (on March 3, 2015 and October 13, 2015), and the 3/2015 meeting of National Innovation Development Committee on August 7, 2015, which agreed in principle on the promotion of Thailand’s electric vehicle industry in a bid to enhance the country’s capacity on commercial production of electric vehicles by 2019. Electric vehicles are divided into 3 types, that is, electric public vehicles, modified electric vehicles, and private electric vehicles. Fundamental technologies for development of electric vehicles in Thailand were also determined, i.e., battery, motor and electric nozzle, and charging station.
2. Being aware of the Government’s policy to enhance Thailand’s capacity in electric vehicles production, especially on particular parts that cannot be manufactured or assembled domestically, such as batteries, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has collaborated with concerned agencies to lay out plan for promotion of research & development in support of Thailand’s electric vehicle industry in a bid to prepare Thailand to become hub of ASEAN in electric vehicles production.
1. To be a framework and guideline for the implementation of R&D projects and promote knowhow in manufacturing of auto parts for electric vehicle production in Thailand.
2. To enhance Thailand’s capacity on manufacturing of parts and fundamental devices in order to minimize parts import.
3. To promote Thailand to become electric vehicles hub of the region.
Research is divided into 4 plans as follows:
(1) Research & development and creation of knowhow on battery and energy management system
(2) Research & development and creation of knowhow on motor and drive system
(3) Research & development and creation of knowhow on light weight structure and assembly
(4) Research & development and creation of knowhow on development of policy, standard and human resources.
The Cabinet agreed on the proposals made by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as follows:
1. Agreed in principle on Core River Basin Management Functions Decentralization
2. Thailand’s Mekong Commission was assigned to work on the details on implementation of Core River Basin Management Functions Decentralization and related activities.
3. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Department of Water Resources, as Thailand’s Mekong Commission, is main agency, responsible for budget planning and disbursement.
The Cabinet agreed on the proposals made by Ministry of Public Health as follows:
1. Agreed to submit ASEAN Agreement on Medical Device Directive to the National Legislative Assembly Cooperative Commission before submitting to the National Legislative Assembly, along with the draft Medical Device Act (No….) B.E….
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to issue instrument of ratification to ASEAN Secretariat once the National Legislative Assembly agrees to the Agreement and the Draft Act and makes them into laws. Ministry of Public Health is also to notify Thailand’s readiness to abide by the obligations stipulated on the Agreement to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
ASEAN Agreement on Medical Device Directive (AMDD) is the framework for law making on control of medical devices of ASEAN member states. The Agreement stipulates standards and certification of medical devices, such as definitions, scope and classification of medical devices, etc. Minister of Commerce has endorsed the Agreement on November 21, 2014, but it has not yet taken immediate effect. After the endorsement, member states must complete its internal procedure, and notify or issue instrument of ratification for the Agreement to take effect.
The Cabinet agreed on the proposals made by Ministry of Social Development and Human Security as follows:
1. Approved for Thailand to become member, and to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
2. Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is assigned to issue instrument of accession accordingly.
1. The Convention is a mechanism to enhance efficiency on protection of rights for people with disabilities. It includes 18 sections, e.g., individual communication, and inquiry.
2. The Convention is a process of judgment where persons with disabilities or Disabled People’s Organization can file a petition for discrimination and directly submit to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In this regard, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities shall not accept petition that has been earlier investigated by the Committee, or is in the process of investigation, or of which the investigation has been completed.
3. The Committee is to organize closed meetings on investigating petition under the Convention.
4. The investigation is to be done confidentially, and the committee shall seek cooperation from partner states in each procedure of the investigation.
The Cabinet agreed on the proposals made by Ministry of Social Development and Human Security as follows:
1. Agreed in principle on Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled (MVT)
2. Concerned agencies are to proceed accordingly.
Ministry of Social Development and Human Security reported that
1. Thailand has ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008. Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Social Development and Human Security headed a Thai delegation to report the implementation progress under the Treaty to the committee of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities during March 30-31, 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland.
2. Sub-committee on Persons with Disabilities Affairs under the Committee on Social, Children, Youth, Women, the Elderly, the Disabled and the Underprivileged Affairs of the National Legislative Assembly has considered World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)’s endorsement on the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled (MVT), which is to allow partner states the rights to reproduce, distribute, and promote access of published works among the public, especially persons with disabilities.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) April 19, 2016 --