The Cabinet met on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at Command Building I, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows;
The Cabinet approved proposals made by Ministry of Culture as follows:
1. Agreed on the draft Action Plan on Cultural Exchange Program between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the government of the Republic of India (2016-2019)
2. Minister of Culture is authorized to endorse the Action Plan on Cultural Exchange Program between the Royal Thai government and the government of the Republic of India (2016-2019) on behalf of the country.
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to issue Full Powers for Minister of Culture to endorse the Action Plan on Cultural Exchange Program between the Royal Thai government and the government of the Republic of India (2016-2019).
4. Should there be any amendment in wording of the draft Action plan, if not affecting gist of the document or the benefit of Thailand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authorized to proceed without any further approval from the cabinet.
The draft Action Plan aims to promote collaboration and cultural exchange between Thailand and India in a more concrete and consistent manner. It specifies details of cultural projects or activities for both nations to continuously collaborate during the period of 4 years. The Plan covers exchange programs and cultural activities based on mutual interests and potentials, and is similar to the previous Action plan to cover such areas as archeology, archaeological site preservation, artifacts and religious sites, as well as Buddhism exhibition. Each country is to organize exhibitions, performing arts, folk performances, as well as collaboration on visual arts, archives, publications and folk handicrafts. This will help promote cultural understanding among the people, and will support trade and investment expansion, as well as tourism between the two nations.
The Cabinet agreed on proposals made by Ministry of Justice as follows:
1. Agreed on Thailand’s withdrawal of reservation to Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authorized to notify the United Nations accordingly on Thailand’s withdrawal of reservation to Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
Ministry of Justice reported that
1. The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is an international convention on human rights which was put into effect on January 4, 1969. The objective is to counter and eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. The previous Convention has 177 state parties, and 6 countries has ratified the Convention (As of April 22, 2016). The Cabinet agreed on Thailand’s membership to the International Convention, and announced the reservation to Article 4 on November 26, 2002. Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued instrument of accession for Thailand to become a member of the Convention. Thailand, thus, has officially been under the Convention since February 27, 2003.
2. The Convention aims to counter and eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. According to the Article 4 of the Convention, state parties condemn all propaganda and all organizations which are based on ideas or theories of superiority of one race or group of persons of one color or ethnic origin, or which attempt to justify or promote racial hatred and discrimination in any form, and undertake to adopt immediate and positive measures designed to eradicate all incitement to, or acts of, such discrimination based on principles of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other rights.
3. Withdrawal of reservation to the Article 4 of the Convention is in accordance with suggestion of United Nations Human Rights Council, following the 1st cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), as well as UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Thailand must submit progress report on implementations according to the International Convention International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) by 2016. Withdrawal of the reservation to the aforementioned article is a major development which will enhance the country’s positive image at an international stage.
The Cabinet agreed on Ministry of Commerce’s proposal on enforcement of Trade Agreement between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, in accordance with Article 11 of the agreement which stipulated that the agreement is to take effect on the date that either Contracting Party receives written notice from the other Contracting Party stating that it has proceeded in accordance with own laws and regulations. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ordered to issue notice of enforcement of Trade Agreement between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand for the Agreement to enter into force.
1. Promotion of trade relation between two nations under laws and regulations of each country.
2. Facilitation on various aspects, such as participation in exhibitions, establishment of trade office or center for trade, collaboration between Board of Trade and exchange of trade representatives.
3. Establishment of Joint Trade Committee which consists of representatives from concerned agencies of both countries. The aim is to monitor and review operations according to the Agreement as well as to analyze further opportunities and ways to extend trade relations.
The Cabinet approved in principle for Thailand to attend Astana Expo 2017 in Astana, the Republic of Kazakhstan, as proposed by Ministry of Commerce. Ministry of Energy is assigned as main agency for the mission. Ministry of Tourism and Sports and other concerned agencies will be supporting agencies.
Ministry of Commerce reported that
1. The Embassy of Kazakhstan to Thailand has invited Thailand to attend the exhibition “Astana Expo 2017” during June 10 - September 10, 2016 in Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan. The exhibition’s theme is “Future Energy”, with sub themes on Reducing CO2 Emission, Energy for all and Living Energy Efficiency.
2. Ministry of Commerce is of the view that Thailand can demonstrate its awareness on energy through the participation of Astana Expo 2017. The Thai government has planned and implemented policies on future energy, especially on the promotion of renewal energy, and efficient energy use, in response to address energy awareness which is recognized as a World Issue. Ministry of Commerce will also set up display at the Astana Expo 2017.
3. Benefits:
3.1 To foster a positive image of Thailand in its policies and potentials on energy security, as well as the collaboration on building energy network.
3.2 To create good opportunity for Thailand to learn about world’s and competitors’ energy development and potentials in order to develop national strategy on energy.
3.3 To generate trade opportunity for Thailand’s products and services, attract foreign investment, and promote tourism.
3.4 To demonstrate Thailand's potentials for trade, investment, and tourism, as well as to promote Thailand's role and policies on promotion of sustainable energy at an international stage.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) June 07, 2016 --