The Cabinet met on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at the Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The Cabinet approved in principle Draft Act on National Consumer Affairs Council, B.E...., as proposed by Office of the Consumer Protection Board, and ordered for it to be forwarded to the Office of the Council of State for consideration, Office of the Consumer Protection Board is to take opinions of Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, Office of the Civil Service Commission, Bureau of the Budget and Office of the Auditor General of Thailand into considerations, before being forwarded to National Legislative Assembly accordingly.
The Draft Act stipulates establishment of the National Consumer Affairs Council to represent consumer in coordinating with government agencies and private sector for setting up of policies and undertaking consumer protection-related activities. The Council is an autonomous entity, and serves as Secretary to the Board of Directors of the National Consumer Affairs Council.
The Cabinet approved the draft Ministerial Regulations No. ... (BE ....) issued under the Building Control Act B.E. 2522, as proposed by the Ministry of Interior, and ordered for it to be submitted to the Office of the Council of State for consideration and proceed accordingly.
This is an amendment to Ministerial Regulation No. 55 (B.E. 2543) issued under the Building Control Act B.E. 2522 to include the definition of "solid walls," "building lines," and "public water districts," and determine distances from the land area and building. Additional amendment is also made to allow deteriorated townhouses or row houses, to be converted or demolished for the construction of new buildings.
The Cabinet approved proposals made by Ministry of Energy as follows:
1. Approved the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to proceed with power transmission system project to accommodate power purchase from independent power producer (IPP) (Phase 3) for a total budget of 7,250 million baht
2. Approved disbursement of the 2018 investment budget for the implementation of the aforementioned project for the total of 153 million baht.
Benefits:
1. To enable power purchase from independent power producers (IPP) (the opening round of 2012) according to the Government’s policy to purchase power from IPP
2. To meet increasing energy demands in the Eastern and Central region
3. To increase operational flexibility in controlling and distributing electricity in the Eastern region.
The Cabinet agreed and approved proposals made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs as follows:
1. Agreed with the ACMECS Master Plan (2019-2023) and Draft Bangkok Declaration of the 8th Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit. Should there by an amendment, if not affecting gist of the documents, or against national interests, Ministry of Foreign Affairs can proceed without having to resubmit to the cabinet for its consideration.
2. Prime Minister or his representative is authorized as head of Thai delegation to attend the 8th ACMECS Summit, and endorse the aforementioned documents.
Ministry of Foreign reported that Thailand is to host the 8th ACMECS Summit in Bangkok on June 16, 2018 under theme “Towards an Integrated and Connected Mekong Community”. Two documents will be endorsed at the meeting:
1. Draft Bangkok Declaration of the 8th ACMECS Summit reflects intention of member countries to make use of their strengths and diversities for mutual interests.
2. 5-year ACMECS Master Plan (2019-2023), an inaugural master plan that will set guidelines on the implementations of the Mekong sub-region to be in accordance with the 2025 ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan, and UN’s 2030 SDGs, with the vision on “Establishing ACMECS connectivity within 2023”.
The Cabinet approved proposals made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs as follows:
1. Agreed with the Agreement between the government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the government of Republic of Latvia on Visa Exemption Arrangements for Diplomatic and Official passport holders.
2. Minister of Foreign Affairs or his representative is authorized as signatory for the Agreement.
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to issue Full Powers for the aforementioned signatory.
4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to notify the Government of the Republic of Latvia about the approval
5. Should there be any amendment, if not effecting the gist of the document or against the benefits of Thailand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to proceed, and later inform the Cabinet accordingly.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) June 5, 2018--