The cabinet met on March 12, 2019 at the Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The Cabinet approved draft of the Fourth Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement as proposed by the Board of Investment (BOI), and assigned Minister of Commerce or his representative as signatory. Should there be any amendment in parts that do not affect gist of the document or against the benefits of Thailand, Ministry of Commerce is authorized to proceed accordingly.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ordered to issue Full Powers to Minister of Commerce or his representative. Board of Investment (BOI) shall cooperate with concerned agencies to fulfil the obligations under the Agreement. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to notify the ASEAN Secretariat that Thailand is ready to enforce the Fourth Protocol following the approval made by National Legislative Assembly of Thailand.
The Agreement sets additional conditions on Prohibition of Performance Requirements (PPR) PPR), and stipulates ASEAN member states to evaluate and review provisions of the Agreement if required. The amendment will enhance the Agreement to the global standard, which can attract more investors.
At the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting for the preparation of the 33rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, held in Singapore on November 11, 2018, it was agreed that ASEAN member states fulfil its internal procedures to be ready for the signing of the draft Protocol at the 25th AEM Retreat to be held in April, 2019 in Phuket, Thailand.
The Cabinet agreed and approved proposals made by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as follows.
1. Agreed with the fourth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 4)
2. Authorized head of the Thai delegation (Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations) to approve the draft UNEA
3. Should there be any amendment, if not affecting gist of the document or against the benefits of Thailand, head of the Thai delegation is authorized to proceed accordingly, without further approval from the Cabinet.
The document reflects commitment to jointly seek sustainable ways to manage environmental and natural resources through using innovation. It also aims to promote a more sustainable and efficient use of resources, and reduce pollution.
The Cabinet approved the proposal made by Ministry of culture as follows:
1. Approved the proposal for nominating Nora, the southern Thai dance drama fo UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
2. The Director-General of Department of Cultural Promotion, as a Secretary of the Committee on Cultural Heritage Promotion and Preservation, is authorized as signatory of the nomination letter to UNESCO on behalf of Thailand.
The Cabinet approved the proposal made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs as follows.
1. Approved draft MOU for the Mekong – Lanchang cooperation between Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy of The People's Republic of China in The Kingdom of Thailand, and the draft MOU between Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mekong Institute (MI). Should there be any amendment, if not affecting gist of the document or against the benefits of Thailand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authorized to proceed accordingly, without further approval from the Cabinet.
2. the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs or his representative is authorized as signatory of the draft MOU for Mekong – Lanchang cooperation between Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy of The People's Republic of China in The Kingdom of Thailand.
3. Director-General of Department of International Economic Affairs or his representative is authorized as signatory for the draft MOU between Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mekong Institute (MI).
The draft MOU for Mekong – Lanchang cooperation between Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy of The People's Republic of China in The Kingdom of Thailand aims to set guidelines on effective fund management provided by China.The funded project is Capacity Building for National Coordinator of Mekong – Lancang Cooperation, for the total amount of 3,300,000 rmb. Ministry of Foreign Affairs assigned Mekong Institute (MI) to manage the project.
The Cabinet approved the draft joint statement for the 7th Greater Mekong Sub-region Economic Corridors Forum Ministers on cross border transport, as proposed by Ministry of Transport. Should there be any amendment, if not affecting the gist of the documents or against the benefits of Thailand, Ministry of Transport is authorized to proceed without further approval from the Cabinet. The Minister of Transport or his representative is also authorized as signatory.
(1) GMS Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA),
(2) Extension of Protocol 1 of the CBTA (cross-border transportation routes),
(3) Progress of the MOU for Initial Implementation of a Cross-border Transport Agreement (IICBTA), and
(4) Monitoring and evaluation.
Cambodian Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and Asian Development Bank will co-organize the 7th Greater Mekong Sub-region Economic Corridors Forum on March 15, 2019 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Asian Development Bank proposed the endorsement of the aforementioned joint statement in the meeting.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) March 12, 2019--