The Cabinet met on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at the Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The cabinet approved the followings:
1. Approved in principle the draft Food Act (No. …), B.E. …, as proposed by Ministry of Public Health, and ordered for the draft Act to be sent to Office of Council of State for scrutiny before being forwarded to National Legislative Assembly for deliberation.
2. Acknowledged the plan to develop secondary laws, timeframe, and framework of the secondary laws, as proposed by Ministry of Public Health
Draft Food Act (No….), B.E. … includes stipulations on:
1) Effective date,
2) Definitions,
3) Process of authority,
4) production for export,
5) Stipulations on adulterated food, amendment of penalties related to food prohibited to be produced, import or sale,
6) Control and regulations on food advertisement,
7) Prescription on proceedings of illegal food,
8) Power of fine penalty enforcement, and
9) Temporary provision.
The cabinet approved in principle draft Royal Decree prescribing public agencies enacted under the Act on liability for wrongful act of officials, B.E. 2539, as proposed by Office of National Human Rights Commission, and ordered for the draft Royal Decree to be sent to Office of Council of State for scrutiny.
The draft Royal Decree prescribes Office of National Human Rights Commission as public agency under the Act on liability for wrongful act of officials, B.E. 2539. This is for staffs of Office of National Human Rights Commission who perform under duty of loyalty to be protected within the scope of the aforementioned Act.
The cabinet approved for Siamese fighting fish to be the national aquatic animal, as proposed by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
National Fishery Policy Committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister ACM Prajin Juntong, approved for Siamese fighting fish to be the national aquatic animal, and for the agenda to be under the cabinet’s consideration.
National Identity Commision, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, deliberated the agenda and was of the view that:
1. Cultural and historical dimension: Ministry of Culture announced the Siamese fighting fish as an intangible cultural heritage of the nation (under category “national resource management for sustainable conservation and utilization)
2. Utilization dimension: To name Siamese fighting fish as the national fish would help preserve its breed, and promote breeding innovations which would lead to commercial benefits, and create economic value added. The Siamese fighting fish could become symbol of Thai fishing products.
3. Ownership and identity dimension: Siamese fighting fish (scientific name: Betta splendens) is known internationally as “Siamese Fighting Fish” or “Siamese Betta”, which explicitly reflects the origin of this breed of fish, and ownership can be proved.
In light of the above, “Siamese Fighting Fish should be deemed the national aquatic animal.
The cabinet approved prescriptions of the working group between the Thai Government and European Commission on IUU Fishing, and appointment of Thai members in the working group. This is as proposed by the sub-committee on IUU fishing.
Prescriptions of the working group between the Thai Government and European Commission on IUU Fishing will be the operational framework of the working group in tackling with IUU fishing, without having to sign an MOU.
Director-General of Department of Fishery is appointed as chair of the working group, with representatives from other concerned agencies (e.g., the Royal Thai Navy, Marine Department, the Royal Thai Police, etc.) as members.
The cabinet approved the following proposals made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
1. Approved the 4th draft discussion framework between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2019-2021)
2. Approved for Minister of Foreign Affairs or a representative to sign the discussion framework
3. Should there be an amendment that are not against the principle approved by the cabinet, Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authorized to proceed, and report to the cabinet later of the amendment.
The draft discussion framework will be signed during the visit of Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Thailand during February 7-8, 2019.
The 4th draft discussion framework between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2019-2021) prescribes issues of discussion in various dimensions, such as bilateral cooperation, regional and multi-lateral cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, etc. The 4th draft discussion framework will be a key mechanism in enhancing dynamism of bilateral relations between Thailand and Russia.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) February 05, 2019--