The Cabinet met on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at the Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The cabinet approved the following proposals made by Office of the Board of Investment (BOI):
1. Approved qualifications, criteria, and privileges for Smart Visa.
2. Ordered for Ministry of Interior, the Immigration Office, Ministry of Labor, and BOI to amend announcements, orders, and notices related to Smart Visa applications in accordance with the approval made by the cabinet (as 1.)
3. Assigned BOI and other related agencies to proceed accordingly.
Smart visa is a special type of visa for foreign professionals and entrepreneurs working in Thailand in the 10 S-Curve industries. The amendment is made in 3 aspects:
1. Include additional 3 targeted industries (aside from the 10 S-Curve industries), that is,
(1) alternative dispute resolution service,
(2) human resource development in sciences and technology, and
(3) environmental and alternative energy management.
2. Grant a privilege on immigration fast track at the country’s international airports to Smart Visa holders.
3. Revise qualifications, criteria, and condition for Smart Visa:
(1) Smart “T” qualification: (before) minimum salary of no less than 200,000 Baht or equlivalent per months, exclusive of benefits and welfares -> (revised) approximate remunerations of no less than 100,000 Baht per month;
(2) revoke stipulation on prohibition of occupations under the Royal Decree prescribing works related to occupation and profession in which an alien is prohibited to engaged, B.E. 2522 (1979) since experts and entrepreneurs approved for Smart Visa are already exempted from any obligation under Foreigners’ Working Management Emergency Decree, B.E. 2560 (2017).
The cabinet approved the following proposals made by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment:
1. Approved Thailand’s position for the 14th Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 14) and associated meetings.
2. Approved for the endorsement of Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration without signing.
3. Approved for Minister of Natural Resources and Environment or a representative to endorse the Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration. Should there be an amendment in parts that are not gist nor against Thailand’s position approved by the cabinet, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is authorized to proceed and inform the cabinet later on the amendment. The 14th Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 14) and associated meetings will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on November 14-29, 2018. The Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration consists of 3 key components:
1) biodiversity mainstreaming,
2) biodiversity strategic plan (2011-2020), and
3) Further Action in the lead-up to 2020.
The cabinet approved the following proposals made by Ministry of Transport:
1. Approved draft Protocol between the Kingdom of Thailand and State of Israel on Amendment of the Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of State of Israel for air services between and beyond their respective territories, signed on November 24, 2016. Should there be an amendment to the Protocol in parts that are not gist nor against the principle approved by the cabinet, Ministry of Transport is authorized to proceed and information the cabinet later on the amendment.
2. Approved an MOU between the Kingdom of Thailand and State of Israel.
3. Approved for Minister of Transport or a representative to sign the draft Protocol between the Kingdom of Thailand and State of Israel on Amendment of the Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of State of Israel for air services between and beyond their respective territories, and for Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue the Full Powers to the signatory.
4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also assigned to proceed with the exchange of diplomatic note for the Entry into Force of the MOU and the draft Protocol.
The MOU and the draft Protocol are the amendment of existing agreement to be in line with ICAO’s recommendations, especially on the issues of aviation safety, and number of flights between Thailand and Israel (from unlimited number of flights to 28 flights/week).
The cabinet approved the following requests made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
1. Approved for Thailand to be the home for UN Global Shared Service Center (GSSC) on the basis of the country’s interests, should it be selected.
2. Approved for Ministry of Foreign Affairs to submit Thailand’s letter of intent to house GSSC to UN Secretary-General, and identify details to be endorsed by the country, i.e., work permission for 3rd country staffs, and annual subsidy of 25,200,000 Baht for 3 years (2020-2022).
3. Approved for Permanent Representative at Thailand's Permanent Mission to the United Nations or a representative to sign the letter of intent to be submitted to UN Secretary-General by November 6, 2018.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) November 06, 2018--