The Cabinet met on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at Command Building I, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows;
The Cabinet approved proposals made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Australia’s request to include Lampang province under its jurisdiction of Honorary Consul for Chiang Mai to cover now Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lumpoon, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Sukhothai and Tak
The Cabinet approved proposals made by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as follows:
1.Approved Thailand’s position for the 13th Meeting of the Conference of the Pari to the Convention on Biological Diversity and related meetings
2.Approved the endorsement of Draft Cancun Declaration on Integrated Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity for Good Living without any signing. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment or his representative is authorized to endorse the aforementioned document.
3.Should there be any amendment in wording of Thailand’s position or Draft Cancun Declaration, if not affecting gist of document or against the benefits of Thailand, head of Thai delegation is authorized to consider the amendment until the end of the meeting on December 17, 2016 in Cancun, Mexico, without any further approval from the Cabinet.
Gist of the Draft Cancun Declaration on Integrated Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity for Good Living is the operational framework at policy level, aiming to promote the integration of sustainable conservation and use of biological diversity with fair share of benefits in using natural resources. The Draft Cancun Declaration also includes operational guideline for its partner countries on various matters, such as promotion of research and develop technology on biological diversity.
The Cabinet approved in principle on proposals made by Ministry of Public Health on the extension of period of stay in Thailand for Long Stay Visa. Ministry of Interior is ordered to issue or amend related laws to be in accordance with the Cabinet’s resolution.
Ministry of Public Health reported that
1. At present, an increasing number of foreigners aged 50 and over have been travelling to Thailand for a long stay by obtaining Non-Immigrant Visa Category O-A (Long Stay). Ministry of Tourism and Sports also reported that in 2014, top 15 countries of which the citizens have been approved for a long stay in Thailand are: England, USA, Switzerland, Japan, France, Australia, Norway, China, Sweden, Netherlands, India, Italy, Canada and Taiwan. These are tourists with considerable potentials who prefer to stay in Thailand’s tourist destinations, such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chonburi and other famous coastal provinces.
2. Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Tourism and Sports have reached an agreement, at the 5/2016 board meeting of Thailand Development and Promotion on Medical and Wellness Tourism, to extend period of stay for Long Stay Visa from 1 year to 10 years for foreigners from 14 countries as follows: Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, France, Finland, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, USA, England, Japan and Canada. The requirements are as follows:
1) Age requirement: Foreigner aged 50 or more who applies for Non-immigrant catergory O-A (Long Stay) from Thai Consulates in their countries or foreigner who travels to Thailand with other types of visa and wishes to change to a Long Stay Visa. Holder of this type of visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for 5 years with multiple entry and granted for another 5-year extension with multiple entry.
2) Visa fee: 10,000 Baht
3) Financial requirement: Must have a bank deposit of at least 3 million baht or have a monthly salary of at least 100,000 Baht
4) Health insurance coverage: Must have with them medical insurance policy of at least USD 1,000 for OPD and USD 10,000 or more for IPD per year
5) Report to immigration: every 90 days to the immigration officer in his or her residence area
6) Others: Spouse or registered partner of the applicant aged 50 or more can request for a Long Stay Visa by providing a seperate bank deposit in Thailand or have monthly salary. Spouse aged under 50 will be granted with Non-immigrant visa catergory O, and childern aged under 21 can enter the country for education with Non-immigrant visa catergory ED. The applicant can also purchase private vehicle or condominium in Thailand with foreign funds transferred to Thai bank account, as well as will be permitted to conduct volunteer work without pay.
The Cabinet agreed and approved proposals made by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives as follows:
1. Agreed on the signing of Draft Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of the Kingdom of Thailand and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea on agricultural cooperation
2. Approved in principle that if there is any amendment prior to the signing, if not affecting gist of document, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is authorized to proceed accordingly without any further approval from the Cabinet.
3. Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatitve or his representative is authorized to endorse the aforementioned draft.
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives reported that Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea has agreed to prepare Memorandum of Understanding on agricultural cooperation between Thailand and Korea to be referred as operational framework on agriculture and mechanism to facilitate trade of agricultural products and help solving technical difficulties.
1) Exchange of experts and researchers
2) Research and development on agriculture
3) Exchange of academic and agricultural knowledge
4) Organization of operational meetings, seminars and meetings on the topics of mutual interests
5) Competitiveness enhancement through trainings, field trips and others
7) Promotion of communication between concerned government agencies and private sectors, including community enterprise in agricultural sector or others
8) Other collaboration aiming to promote agricultural development for both countries
The Cabinet agreed on proposals made by Ministry of Tourism and Sports on incentive measures to attract more foreign tourists through visa exemption at royal Thai embassy and consulate and Visa on Arrival (VOA)’s fee reduction as follows:
1) To enhance national competitiveness in attracting and facilitating foreign tourists
2) To attract more foreign tourists during this short-term High Season
1) To exempt the 1,000-bath fee for visas sought at royal Thai embassies and consulates.
2) To reduce the 2,000-baht fee for visas on arrival to 1,000 baht for foreigners from 19 countries, which are Andorra, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
3) The measures will take effect for 3 months from December 1, 2016 to February 28, 2017.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) November 22, 2016 --