The Cabinet met on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at Command Building I, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows;
The Cabinet reviewed the Policy Loan as proposed by Ministry of Finance, and agreed on modification of condition of Policy Loan from accepting applications either from the date of Cabinet’s approval until June 30, 2016 or until the budget limit is reached, to accepting applications either from the date of Cabinet’s approval until December 31, 2016 or until the budget limit is reached. There will be no further extension to the Policy Loan scheme.
The Cabinet approved the proposals made by Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board on Eastern Economic Corridor Development, and assigned Deputy Prime Minister (Somkid Jatusripitak) to coordinate with Ministry of Transport, the Royal Thai Navy, and other concerned agencies in developing a detailed project plan within 3 months.
Gist of the matter
1. Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard is now the country’s primary industrial production base, particularly for petrochemicals, energy, and automobile industries, accounting for 1/5 of the country’s GDP. The area is well facilitated with infrastructure system both roads, railways, ports, and industrial estates, and is also a sea transport hub of ASEAN with the linkages with Myanmar’s Dawei deep-sea port, Cambodia’s Port of Sihanoukville, and Vietnam’s Vung Tau Port. The Government, therefore, has a plan to develop Eastern Economic Corridor as ASEAN's leading economic zone, aiming to promote 10 target industries to become New Engines of Growth. Project framework is as follows:
1.1 Area of operation: in 3 eastern provinces, i.e., Chonburi, Rayong and Chachoengsao with zoning of industries, infrastructure development, and urban development.
1.2 Infrastructure investment: include
1) Air transport- U-Tapao International Airport
2) Water transport- Sattahip’s Commercial Port, Laem Chabang Port, and Map Ta Phut Industrial Port
3) Road transport- motorway, routes Bangkok – Chonburi - Pattaya – Rayong – Map Ta Phut, and Laem Chabang - Nakhon Ratchasima
4) Rail transport- Dual-track railway, routes Chachoengsao – Klong Sip Kao – Kaeng Khoi, and Bangkok - Rayong
These infrastructure systems will be developed in a integrative manner to cut logistics cost, increase travel security, and enhance capacity in marine tourism. Chuk Samet deep sea port will be developed as commercial port for yachts, ferries, and cruises, connecting with other tourist ports in both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Coast. This is in order to accommodate the growth of economic activities in all aspects.
1.3 Attracting private sector investment: through providing additional privileges and incentives, setting up Fund for competitiveness enhancement of the entrepreneurs, establishing One Stop Service to facilitate environmental and urban planning processes, and licensing, as well as declaration of tax-free zones, land acquisition and lease, work permission for foreign investors and experts, rights on financial transactions, use of foreign currencies, establishment of financial transaction center, and establishment of local funds.
1. Prime Minister's order: Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Somkid Jatusripitak) is assigned to work in collaboration with Ministry of Transport, the Royal Thai Navy, and other concerned agencies to develop detailed Eastern Economic Corridor Development Project Plan within 3 months, which includes transport infrastructure investment on land, railroad, water and air, connecting both domestic and international destinations; urban planning; and development of green industries. The benefits of local people must be taken into account. The budget is to be allocated from the annual budget of B.E. 2560 and 2561.
The Cabinet approved proposals made by the Royal Thai Police as follows:
1. Approved the Draft Terms of Reference of the Trust Fund for Humanitarian and Relief Efforts for the Victims of Irregular Movement of Persons
2. Approved Thailand’s financial contribution to the Trust Fund
3. Should there be any amendment, if not affecting gist of the document, the Royal Thai Police is authorized to proceed without any further approval from the Cabinet.
1. Financial support to the fund by ASEAN members, international community, as well as ASEAN dialogue partners, international organizations, and external stakeholders, will be on a voluntary basis.
2. Financial contribution will be managed, allocated, and monitored according to related criteria and procedure of the ASEAN Secretariat.
3. As for use of fund, ASEAN member states must make a request to ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) for its approval. The proposed plan should consist of (a) Objectives, (b) Detail of fund utilization (plan, period, etc.), (c) Categorization of expected fund expenditures, and (d) Schedule of disbursements. Decision on approval will be made within 10 working days by SOMTC.
4. ASEAN Secretariat will be responsible for the disbursement of fund, and will notify Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) and SOMTC accordingly.
5. Final report must be submitted within 60 days after completion of the project. Funds not being used must be returned through the ASEAN Secretariat within 90 days after completion of the project.
Title: (Draft) Memorandum of Understanding on Labor Cooperation between the government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)
1. Approved the (Draft) Memorandum of Understanding on Labor Cooperation between the government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)
2. Minister of Labor Gen. Sirichai Distakul is appointed as signatory of the aforementioned document.
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ordered to issue the Full Powers to Minister of Labor for the signing of the document.
4. Should there be any amendment, if not affecting gist of the document, or the benefits of Thailand, or against the principle the Cabinet has approved, Ministry of Labor is authorized to proceed and notify the Cabinet afterward.
Draft Memorandum of Understanding on Labor Cooperation between the government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) sets basic principles on labor cooperation. The cooperation framework includes
(1) Academic cooperation
(2) Cooperation on the development of skilled labor
(3) Cooperation on employment
(4) Cooperation on labor protection, and
(5) Cooperation on social security. The MOU will promote cordial relations between the two nations to strive in working together for the development and expansion of labor cooperation, and to enhance Thailand's role in exchanging experiences and joint compliance approaches. Forging close relations at a regional level will lead to the setting of policy direction on international labor at both the bilateral and regional levels in the future.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) June 28, 2016 --