The cabinet met on September 24, 2019 at the Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The cabinet approved Host Country Agreement between the Thai Government and Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), and authorized Deputy Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Foreign Affairs as signatory of the Host Country Agreement. It also approved for the Deputy Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be the representative of the Thai Government in ADPC’s Board of Trustees. Should there be an amendment in parts that are not gist nor against national interest, Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to seek advices and comments from other concerned agencies and proceed without having to resubmit the proposal to the cabinet. This is as proposed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Host Country Agreement is aimed for Thailand and ADPC to join forces in promoting community security and SDGs through disaster risk reduction in the Asia and Pacific, and to efficiently facilitate ADOC operation and implementation.
The cabinet approved the budget of USD4,791,700 and the operation plan for 2020 of Malaysia-Thailand Joint Authority (MTJA), as proposed by Ministry of Energy.
MTJA is established in 1990 to assume all rights and responsibilities on behalf of the two Governments to explore and exploit the non-living natural resources, particularly petroleum, in this overlapping area known as the 'Joint Development Area' (JDA). With approximately 7,250 square kilometers in size, JDA is located offshore approximately 150 kilometers from Kota Bharu and 260 kilometers from Songkhla in the Gulf of Thailand. MTJA Headquarters is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Incurred expenses and benefits will be equally responsible and shared by the Government of both countries. The Malaysia-Thailand Joint Authority is governed by the board consisting of two Co-Chairmen (Dr. Kurujit Nakornthap, as Co-Chairman from Thailand), and twelve Members of Malaysia and Thai nationals, appointed in equal number by the respective Governments.
The approved budget will be allocated from petroleum sales benefits during the last quarter of 2019 and budget balance of 2018.
The cabinet approved drafting and signing of an MOU on Mekong – Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Special Fund, and assigned Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Education or a representative to sign the MOU between Ministry of Education and the Embassy of People’s Republic of China. This is as proposed by Ministry of Education.
Mekong – Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Special Fund is aimed to engender future peace and security in Mekong – Lancang member states through cooperation, assistance, and discussion on the basis of mutual interest and respect of laws.
Under the MOU, China agreed to fund implementation of Ministry of Education’s 2 projects for the total budget of 220,000RMB, that is, 1) Seminar on the development plan of Thailand-Lao PDR-China vocational study along the Mekong border area (60,000RMB), and 2) Training on rail transport curriculum development (160,000RMB).
The cabinet approved the following proposals made by Ministry of Commerce: Approved Thailand’s position for the 3rd Thailand-Bhutan Joint Trade Committee (JTC) (i.e., trade and investment, tourism, agriculture, handicrafts, food processing, package design, medical treatment) as guideline for the Thai delegation (led by Minister of Commerce or a representative) to discuss with Bhutan counterpart.Should additional agreement on economic cooperation, not included in 1., that benefit economic and trade relations between the two countries, be made, the Thai delegation is authorized to proceed without having to resubmit to the cabinet. The 3rd Thailand-Bhutan Joint Trade Committee (JTC) will be held on September 26-27, 2019 in Thimphu, Kingdom of Bhutan.
Source: Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) September 24, 2019