The Cabinet met on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at Command Building I, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The cabinet approved implementation of the 1st phase of National Housing Plan (2016) which include 21 projects, comprising of 6,129 housing units, worth 4,322.195 million Baht, as proposed by Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
The 1st phase of National Housing Plan (2016) is under the Government’s 10-Year National Housing Strategy (2015-2025), and National Housing Authority’s housing development plan (2015-2017). These projects aim to promote housing security and the quality of life specifically for low-income earners. Further details of the projects can be obtained from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
The cabinet approved in principle the 3rd Master Plan for National Metrology System Development (2017-2021), as proposed by Ministry of Science and Technology, for it to be the framework for Thailand’s metrology system mobilized by National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) as the main agency. The Master Plan consists of the following 5 strategies:
1) Enhancing measurement capacity to meet the needs of users
2) Integrating national quality infrastructure (NQI) in a systematic manner
3) Upgrading entrepreneurs’ capabilities with metrological skills and technologies
4) Mobilizing quality society with metrology
5) Developing National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) to attain measurement excellence
The cabinet approved Thailand’s participation in the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project (BEPS Project) under the inclusive framework of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), as proposed by Ministry of Finance.
BEPS Project aims to improve international cooperation on tax planning strategies for the purposes of increasing transparency and preventing taxation avoidance. The Project has 15-actions that equip governments with domestic and international instruments needed to work on Base Erosion and Profit Sharing. More details can be obtained from the either the Ministry of Finance or the OECD.
The cabinet agreed in principle on the establishment of a regional Sufficiency Economy Philosophy Centre in Thailand by Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), as proposed by Ministry of Education.
SEAMEO has its headquarters in Bangkok and has been working since 1965 to promote regional cooperation in education, science and culture. The purpose of the centre is to serve as a learning institute that will benefit the member states in the area of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and sustainable development.
The cabinet agreed on the proposals of Ministry of Justice as follows:
1. Approved a draft Memorandum of Understanding on combating transnational crime between Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the United States’ Department of Homeland Security
2. Approved DSI Director-General as signatory of the MOU
3. Should there be an amendment in any insignificant part of the MOU, DSI is to discuss with Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs without having to resubmit to the cabinet for its approval
This MOU aims to increase efficiency in inter-agency cooperation on key issues such as cybercrime, money laundering and smuggling, fraud, sex crimes against children, and human trafficking. The lead agency for this MOU is the Ministry of Justice.
The cabinet approved and acknowledged the following proposals of Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
1. Approved donation of Government’s stock rice to the Government of the Republic of Mozambique on the basis of humanitarian assistance.
2. Acknowledged payment for improving rice quality to fit for the donation.
3. Assigned Ministry of Commerce to collaborate with Ministry of Foreign Affairs on shipment of rice to the Government of the Republic of Mozambique.
4. Assigned Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with the Republic of Mozambique on the detail of shipment of rice and handover ceremony.
5. Ministry of Commerce and concerned agencies are to consider suggestion of the Budget Bureau.
The Republic of Mozambique is now experiencing one of the worst regional droughts in more than 30 years. Thailand will donate 1,000 tons of rice to this cause and stands ready to consider other forms of assistance to our friends from Mozambique during this time of need. This prompt assistance will also strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. Rice donation will not affect export of Thai rice to Mozambique as the donated quantity is only small compared to export quantity to the country by the Thai private sector.
The cabinet approved and acknowledged the following proposals made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
1) Acknowledged the Framework of a Code of Conduct.
2) Approved negotiation framework for the Framework of a Code of Conduct.
3) Acknowledged that Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), a likely outcome of the aforementioned framework, may require legal-binding signature between governments under an international law.
Framework of a Code of Conduct is expected to be finalized at the 21st SOM on DOC, and the 14th JWG on DOC to be held in China during May 17-18, 2017.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) May 16, 2017 --