The Cabinet met on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at the Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The Cabinet approved Draft Educational Equity Fund Act, B.E...., as proposed by the Independent Committee for Educational Reform, and reviewed by Office of the Council of State. The cabinet also ordered for the draft Act to be forwarded to National Legislative Assembly for its deliberation.
1. Status and objective of the Fund
(1) The Fund is authorized as a government agency and juristic body
(2) The objectives are to promote educational equity, ensure access and quality education, support underprivileged children and youth to complete basic education, and enhance knowledge based on human resources development
2. Funds and assets
(1) Funds and assets allocated from Thai Health Promotion Foundation
(2) Initial fund provided by the Government of 1 billion baht
(3) Annual dividends allocated from the Government Lottery Office
(4) Donation
(5) Annual financial support by the Government
3. Tax benefits –Donations to the Educational Equity Fund is subject to personal income tax deduction
4. Scope of fund expenditures – to provide financial aid in the form of grants or loans to the underprivileged
5. Fund Management Committee and Office of Equal Education Fund – will be established.
6. Monitoring and supervision – The Prime Minister is to oversee the operation of the Fund in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, National strategy, National Reform Policy, Government Policy, and Cabinet Resolutions.
The Cabinet deliberated structural adjustment loan (SAL) for public sector service upgrade, as proposed by Office of the Public Sector Development Commission, and made the approvals as follows:
1. Approved for the termination of “Thailand Gateway” project as proposed by Office of the Public Sector Development Commission
2. Approved in principle the allocation of remaining Structural Adjustment Loan of 800 million baht to support the upgrade of public sector services (2nd phase) in three areas: 1) Citizen Feedback, 2) Tracking System, and 3) Queue Online.
The Cabinet approved proposals made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs as follows:
1. Agreed with the Draft Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the Republic of Mozambique on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports
2. Minister of Foreign Affairs or his representative is authorized as signatory.
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to issue Full Powers for aforementioned signatory.
4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to notify the Government of the Republic of Mozambique about the approval
5. Should there be any amendment, if not against principle agreed or approved by the Cabinet, Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to proceed and later inform the Cabinet accordingly.
The Cabinet approved proposals made by Ministry of Science and Technology as follows:
1. Approved the preparation and signing of International Cooperation Agreement between European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Kingdom of Thailand on scientific and technological cooperation in high energy physics. Should there be any amendment, if not effecting the gist of the document or against the benefits of Thailand, Ministry of Science and Technology is to discuss with Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to proceed without further approval from the Cabinet.
2. Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Science and Technology is authorized as signatory.
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to issue Full Powers for the aforementioned signatory.
Draft International Cooperation Agreement aims to express intent and determine framework for the international cooperation on science and technology between Thailand and CERN in order to provide opportunities for Thai scientists, engineers and technicians to participate in CERN's research projects in the areas of mutual benefits and the fields of expertise of Thai institutions, which include theoretical physics and experimental physics, particle accelerator engineering, measurement and calculation.
The Cabinet approved proposals made by Ministry of Commerce as follows:
1. Approved Thailand’s position in the 6th Thailand – Cambodia Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting. Should there be any further resolution on trade or economic cooperation which would be beneficial to bilateral trade between Thailand and Cambodia, if not resulting in written agreement, Ministry of Commerce and Thai delegation is to proceed without further approval from the cabinet.
2. Minister of Commerce or his representative is to endorse the outcome document of the 6th Thailand – Cambodia Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting or any other documents (if any).
3. Minister of Commerce or his representative is authorized to endorse the strategic plan on economic development of frontier cities at the Thai and Cambodian borders.
Ministry of Commerce reported that
1. Thailand – Cambodia JTC is a major mechanism for bilateral trade cooperation. The 6th JTC meeting will take place on February 21-22, 2018 in Phnom Penh. Ministers of Commerce of the two countries will co-chair the meeting.
2. The 6th JTC meeting is a ministerial-level trade meeting. Its agenda includes trade and investment relations between Thailand and Cambodia, as well as on economic cooperation in the areas of mutual interests, such as trade goals, promotion of Thai-Cambodian border trade, cooperation on agricultural products, trade facilitation, connectivity cooperation, trade and investment cooperation, cooperation on development of special economic zones, tourism cooperation, human resources development, and CLMVT Forum 2018, as well as future approaches for mutual cooperation.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) February 20, 2018--