The Cabinet met on Tuesday August 15, 2017, at Command Building I, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The Cabinet approved Draft Royal Decree Issued under the Revenue Code Regarding Reduction of VAT Rate (No….), BE...., as proposed by Ministry of Finance. The Draft Decree will be forwarded to National Council of State for further proceeding.
1. Stipulate revocation of the order of the National Council for Peace and Order No. 65/2559 on reduction of VAT rate, dated November 1, 2016.
2. Stipulate reduction of VAT rate in accordance with Section 80 of the Revenue Code and retain the following rates:
2.1) 6.3% for the sale of goods, services, or imports of all cases from October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018.
2.2) 9% for the sale of goods, services, or imports of all cases from October 1, 2018 onward.
The Cabinet agreed and approved proposals made by the Royal Thai Police as follows:
1. Approved Draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Royal Thai Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Cooperation in Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, and Controlled Precursor and Essential Chemicals. 2.Commissioner General of Royal Thai Police or his representative is authorized as signatory.
3. Should there be any amendment, if not affecting the gist of the document, Royal Thai Police is authorized to proceed without further approval from the Cabinet.
To lay groundwork for further cooperation in combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, and controlled precursor and essential chemicals between the two nations.
To share and exchange information in combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, and controlled precursor and essential chemicals, as well as to promote further operational cooperation and enhance capacity without affecting existing operations in extradition and mutual assistance in criminal matters.
The Cabinet agreed and approved proposals made by Ministry of Commerce as follows:
1. Approved in principle issues on economic and trade cooperation to be discussed with Singapore for Minister of Commerce to use as framework for the 5th meeting of Singapore – Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER).
2. Should there be any further resolution/agreement on economic and trade cooperation that will not result in a legally binding agreement nor a contract, the Thai delegation is authorized to proceed without any further approval from the Cabinet.
Issues on economic and trade cooperation to be discussed at the 5th STEER meeting are as follows:
1. agricultural products and food,
2. ICT,
3. investment,
4. Trade facilitation,
5. tourism,
6. aviation, and
7. intellectual properties.
The Cabinet approved proposals made by Ministry of Commerce as follows:
1. Agreed upon the Draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand on Economic and Trade Cooperation
2. Minister of Commerce or his representative is authorized as signatory for the English version of the draft MOU.
Should there be any amendment, if not affecting gist of the document or against principle the Cabinet has approved, Ministry of Commerce is authorized to proceed without further approval from the Cabinet.
To strengthen economic and trade cooperation between the two nations. Scope of cooperation is as follows:
1.1 Trade facilitation
1.2 Trade promotion activities
1.3 Measure for trade remedies to be implemented only when necessary
1.4 Cooperation under multilateral trade and economic framework
1.5 Other areas, as agreed upon by both parties
The Cabinet approved proposals made by Ministry of Digital Economy and Society as follows:
1. Approved signing of the Draft Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Posts, Telecommunications, Information and Digital Technology between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Information and Communications of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
Should there be any amendment, if not affecting gist of the document or against principle the Cabinet has approved, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is authorized to proceed and later notify the Cabinet accordingly.
2. Minister of Digital Economy and Society or his representative is authorized as signatory.
The objective is to promote cooperation and exchange in the fields of posts, telecommunications, information, and digital technology.
The Cabinet agreed with the Joint Press Statement on occasion of Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official visit to Thailand during August 17-19, 2017, as proposed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Should there be any amendment, if not against principle the cabinet has approved, Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authorized to proceed and later notify the Cabinet accordingly.
1) Strategic partnership between Thailand and Vietnam, i.e., implementation of an Action Plan on Thailand-Vietnam Strategic Partnership (B.E. 2014-2018).
2) Security cooperation to maintain peace, security and stability, i.e., enhancing cooperation at all levels to prevent and suppress transnational crime, as well as to address IUU.
3) Economic cooperation on trade, investment and labor
4) International and sub-regional connectivity, i.e., improvement of public transport services between Thailand - Laos – Vietnam.
5) People-to-people relations, i.e., establishment of sister cities.
6) Academic cooperation, such as promoting cooperation in teaching Thai and Vietnamese language; and
7) Interaction with the global community, i.e., endorsement of the ACMECS Master Plan.
A total of 6 Memorandum of Understandings and agreements will also be signed with the two Prime Ministers as witnesses.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) August 15, 2017--