The Cabinet met on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at Command Building I, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The cabinet acknowledged preparation for the organization of “New Year Prayers: Bidding Farewell the Thainess way to the Old Year and Bringing in the New Year of Buddhist Era 2560”, as proposed by Ministry of Culture. Gist is as follows
1. New Year prayers on December 31, 2016 and January 1, 2017 at the Sanam Luang Royal Plaza, temples nationwide, and public spaces
2. ASEAN New Year prayers in 15 provinces along the border areas
3. Overseas New Year prayers, in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, World Fellowship of Buddhists, and liaison offices for Buddhist missionaries in both Maha Nikaya and Dhammayuttika Nikaya
4. Visit of 10 temples to honor His Majesty Rama X
5. Integrative operation with concerned agencies
6. Establishment of coordinating committees at national, provincial, and district levels, as well as at the concerned agencies
Ministry of Culture reported that New Year prayer is a significant activity in promoting Thailand’s image as a Buddhist nation, as well as the country’s tourism. Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand has made approval on September 20, 2016 on New Year prayers activities as religious tribute to the King, former Kings, and members of the royal family. The activities are also intended for the Thai people to refrain from decadent celebrations during the New Year.
The cabinet acknowledged and approved the proposals made by Ministry of Finance as follows:
1. Acknowledged measures to prepare Thailand for an aging society and relief measures for flood-affected people
2. Approved assistance measures for general public
1) Measures to prepare Thailand for an aging society:
PPPP (People, Public, Private Partnership) savings scheme for seniors“Reverse Mortgage” housing loan for seniors Loan for parental care
PPPP (People, Public, Private Partnership) loan scheme for seniors
2) Relief measures for flood-affected people:
PPPP loan for flood-affected people
PPPP measure to alleviate debts problem
3) Assistance measures for general public:
Reduction of loan interests for low-income earners, and small-scale freelancers
The cabinet approved the following proposals made by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment:
1. Approved Negotiation framework on Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) between Thailand and EU
2. Approved Negotiating position in the development of Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) between Thailand and EU
3. Approved operational principles according to VPA negotiation framework
4. Authorized Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment or a representative as head of negotiation team
Benefits gained from the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT):
1. Obtaining the rights to issue FLEGT Licence, which will facilitate and enhance competitiveness of Thai wood product exporters to EU.
2. Inhibiting and screening wood products made from illegal sources, thereby, promoting conservation of forests, natural resources, and bio-diversity.
The cabinet approved the proposals made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs as follows:
1. Approved in principle Joint Press Communique? of the Second Lancang - Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, General Principles for the Establishment of the Joint Working Groups on the LMC Key Priority Areas, and the Matrix of Follow-ups to the Outcomes of the First LMC Leaders’ Meeting. Should there be a need to amend the documents in places which are not significant, and not against national interests, Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authorized to proceed without having to resubmit to the cabinet.
2. Approved for Minister of Foreign Affairs or a representative to act as head of Thai delegation at the 2nd Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting to endorse the aforementioned outcome documents.
1. Joint Press Communique? of the Second Lancang - Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting—reflects exchange of views and visions of foreign ministers of ASEAN member countries on achievements according to outcomes of the First Lancang- Cooperation (LMC) Leaders' Meeting.
2. General Principles for the Establishment of the Joint Working Groups on the LMC Key Priority Areas—aims to ensure that all joint working groups be established in the same direction and in accordance with outcomes of the First Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Leaders' Meeting.
3. Matrix of Follow-ups to the Outcomes of the First LMC Leaders’ Meeting—specifies developments after the establishment of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework, and progress of the Joint Working Groups on the LMC Key Priority Areas.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) December 20, 2016 --