The cabinet met on May 14, 2019, at the Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The cabinet approved in principle the draft Decree issued under the Revenue Code Regarding Reduction of Revenue Taxes (No. …), B.E. … (Tax measure to promote investment in special economic zones), as proposed by Ministry of Finance.
The draft Decree issued under the Revenue Code Regarding Reduction of Revenue Taxes (No. …), B.E. … (Tax measure to promote investment in special economic zones) prescribes extension for reduction of corporate income tax for investments in the special economic zones from 20% to 10% for 10 consecutive accounting periods. The extension is made to cover the effective period of Janaury 1, 2018- December 30, 2020 for registered firms and corporates in the special economic zones.
The cabinet approved Her Majesty the Queen's birthday (June 3) as annual national holiday. This is as proposed by the Cabinet Secretariat.
Title: Extension of operating hours for Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Checkpoints (Trial period: 3 months)
The cabinet approved the following proposal made by the National Security Council:
1. Approved 3-month trial period for the extension of operating hours of Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Checkpoints to 24 hours a day.
2. The extension of operating hours will cover only for logistics and parcel transport by lorries and trailers, but not passengers transport, and transport by Pick – up/Light weight. Two persons only are allowed on the vehicles, that is, the driver, and an assistance.
3. National Security Council is to set up a working group to assess the result of the trial extension of operating hours, and coordinate with Malaysia’s working group on the matter.
4. Songkhla provincial authority is ordered to make public announcement of the extension of operating hours, and ensure common understanding among all concerned sectors in the locality.
The cabinet approved the budget increase for subsidy given to the ASEAN Secretariat for implementation of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) RCEP Secured Online Platform for the first 2 years (2019-2020) from USD1,625 to USD2,000. This is as proposed by Ministry of Commerce.
The cabinet approved the draft Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between Office of Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee, China Development Bank (CDB), and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). Should there be an amendment in accordance with the nation’s policy and interests, Office of Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee is authorized to proceed without having to resubmit to the cabinet. Secretary General of the Office of Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee or a representative is authorized as signatory of the MOU.
The draft Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between Office of Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee, China Development Bank (CDB), and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) prescribes close coordination between the 3 parties for the development of Chinese and Japanese investment projects in the Eastern Economic Coridor (EEC) in a tangible manner. The first project to be prioritized is the High-Speed Rail Linked 3 Airport project.
The cabinet approved the draft ASEAN Leader's Statement on the ASEAN Cultural Year 2019 to be proposed to the 26th Meeting of Senior Officials Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA) on May 16, 2019 and the 21st ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council Meeting on May 17, 2019 in Chiang Mai, and the 34th ASEAN Summit later in June. The Prime Minister is authorized to adopt the draft ASEAN Leader's Statement on the ASEAN Cultural Year 2019 at the 34th ASEAN Summit to be held in Bangkok. This is as proposed by Ministry of Culture.
The draft ASEAN Leader's Statement on the ASEAN Cultural Year 2019 prescribes the year 2019 as ASEAN Cultural Year, and cultural activities to be organized under theme “Diversity, Creativity, and Sustainability”, promoting ASEAN cultures of all forms with dialogue partners and external partners, and providing support to the operation of ASEAN Cultural Center in Bangkok, to name a few.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) May 14, 2019--