The Cabinet met on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at the Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The cabinet approved in principle draft Regulation of Prime Minister's Office on management of national disaster warning system (No. ...), B.E. ..., as proposed by Ministry of Interior, and ordered for the Ministry to take into account comments of Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment, Office of Council of State, and National Economic and Social Development Board before proceeding.
The draft Regulation of Prime Minister's Office on management of national disaster warning system (No. ...), B.E. ... is an amendment of the Regulation of Prime Minister's Office on management of national disaster warning system B.E. 2552 to be in line with transfer of the National Disaster Warning Center from Ministry of Information and Communication Technology's Office of Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Interior's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department. The amendment will facilitate continued operation of the National Disaster Warning Center in an efficient and effective manner.
The cabinet approved the construction project for Suvarnabhumi Airport's 3rd runway (Airports of Thailand, Public Company Limited- AOT), as proposed by Ministry of Transport, for the total budget of 21,795.941 million Baht. AOT can only sign a construction contract for Suvarnabhumi Airport's 3rd runway after the Environmental Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) is approved by National Environment Commission.
At present, Suvarnabhumi Airport has 2 runways with 3,700 and 4,000 meters in length respectively. Maximum capacity of both runways combined is 64 flights per hour. However, in case of emergency where a runway needs immediate repair, capacity will be reduced to 34 flights per hour. The 3rd runway will be 4,000 meters in length with the width of 60 meters. The construction is expected to complete by 2021. The project is under National Transport Infrastructure Development Plan (2015-2023) approved by the cabinet on March 27, 2015.
The cabinet acknowledged the draft Roadmap for plastic waste management (2018-2030) as proposed by Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment, and ordered for the Ministry (Department of Pollution Control) to revise the Roadmap in accordance with the National Strategy and master plans under the National Strategy before submitting to Office of National Economic and Social Development Board for its deliberation.
Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment has drafted Roadmap for plastic waste management (2018-2030) as a framework for Thailand's overall plastic waste management and related integrative action plans. The goal is to reduce and stop using certain types of plastic (e.g., plastic bottle cap) by 2019, and replace it with the more environmental friendly meterials, while use of plastic straw, foam food box, plastic cup, and bag is set to be terminated by 2022.
The cabinet approved the draft Joint Communiqu? of the Leaders’ Roundtable of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and authorize the Prime Minister or a representative to endorse the draft Joint Communiqu?. Should there be an amendment in parts that are not gist nor against national interest, Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to proceed without having to resubmit to the cabinet for its consideration.
The draft Joint Communiqu? of the Leaders’ Roundtable of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation demonstrates political intent of 38 participating countries, and prescribes cooperation direction under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 5 dimensions: 1) policy connectivity, 2) infrastructure connectivity, 3) promotion of sustainable development, 4) reinforcement of international cooperation, and 5) development of people-to-people exchange in various dimensions.
The 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held on April 27, 2019 in Beijing, People's Republic of China.
The cabinet approved the drafting of an Action Plan on cultural cooperation between Thailand's Ministry of Culture and People's Republic of China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism (2019-2021) under an Agreement on Cultural Cooperation between the Kingdom of Thailand and People's Republic of China (2001). Minister of Culture or Minister of Foreign Affairs or a representative is authorized as signtory of the Action Plan. Should there be an amendment in parts that are not gist nor against national interest, Ministry of Culture is to proceed without having to resubmit to the cabinet for its consideration. The Action Plan on cultural cooperation between Thailand's Ministry of Culture and People's Republic of China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism (2019-2021) is aimed to promote cultural cooperation at all levels in diversified areas, e.g., tangible and intangible cultural heritages, public cultural services, creative industries, performances, museums, etc.
The cabinet approved drafting and signing of an Agreement on joint train operation between government of the Kingdom of Thailand and government of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Should there be an amendment in parts that are not gist nor against national interest, Ministry of Transport may seek suggestion of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and proceed without having to resubmit to the cabinet for its consideration. Minister of Transport or a representative is authorized as signatory, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to issue the Full Powers to the signatory.
The Agreement on joint train operation between government of the Kingdom of Thailand and government of the Kingdom of Cambodia prescribes international train operation in all aspects, definition of terms, cross border facilitation, etc.
The draft Agreement will promote transport connectivity along the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC), and people and goods movement between the two countries.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) April 17, 2019--