The cabinet met on December 1, 2020 at the Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The cabinet approved Ministry of Transport?s proposals as follows:
1. Approved in principle the draft Ministerial Regulation on Vehicle Speed Limit, B.E. ?
2. Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Police, is to take the comments of Officie of Council of State into consideration before proceeding
3. Ministry of Transport is to take the comments of Officie of National Economic and Social Development Council into consideration before proceeding
Ministry of Transport reported that it has a policy to increase speed limit of all types of vehicles on 4-lane (and more) roads from not over 90 kilometers/hour to not over 120 kilometers/hour, following the feasibility studies and analyses on related laws and regulations, and public and environmental impact. The Ministry has also sought comments of and met with other concerned agencies, i.e., Department of Highways, Department of Rural Roads, Department of Land Transport, and Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, and conducted a survey via the websites of concerned agencies. Majority of the people who took the survey agreed with the draft Regulation.
The draft Regulation also stipulates minimum speed for driving on the right lane for 2-lane (and more) roads, which is no less than 100 kilometers/hour.
The cabinet approved the 9th phase of Portfolio Guarantee Scheme and the 4th phase of Micro Entrepreneurs as economic stimulus measures for SMEs for the combined budget of 29,750 million Baht (the 9th phase of Portfolio Guarantee Scheme: 24 billion Baht, the 4th phase of Micro Entrepreneurs: 5,750 million Baht).
The two economic stimulus measures will enhance access to financial sources of SME entrepreneurs.
The cabinet acknowledged Industrial Economic Report for September 2020 as proposed by Ministry of Industry:
Based on the report, manufacturing production index (MPI) contracted by 2.8% YOY, but expanded by 3.3% comparing to the previous month.
Industries that contributed to the MPI contraction (YOY) are automotive and engines (-13.1%), petroleum (-9.1%), and sugar production (-63.8%), while those that continue to grow in September 2020 are medical supplies (+30.2%), and electrical appliances (34.1%).
The cabinet approved the proposal of Ministry of Commerce to increase the 2020/2021 rice farmer income insurance budget by 28,711.29 million Baht. Adding to what has earlier been approved by the cabinet on November 3, 2020 (18,096.06 million Baht), the budget under the 2020/2021 rice farmer income insurance scheme will be 46,807.35 million Baht. This is as earlier approved by the National Rice Policy Committee.
Bank of the Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) and Ministry of Commerce have been assigned to lay out the detailed plan and budget to be in accordance with the State Fiscal and Financial Disciplines Act, B.E. 2561.
The cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation under 2020 Mekong-Lancang Special Fund between Ministry of Public Health and Embassy of People?s Republic of China to Thailand. Should there be an amendment in parts that are not gist nor against national interests, Ministry of Public Health may proceed without having to resubmit to the cabinet. Minister of Public Health or a representative is authorized as signatory of the MOU.
The MOU is aimed to set budget management direction for the project: ?Strengthening on HIV/AIDS Cooperation in the CCLM (Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar) Countries? to be funded by China for the total budget of US$198,300. Objectives of the project are:
1) to develop a cooperation plan on prevention and management of HIV/AIDS between Thailand and the neighboring countries;
2) to enhance capacity of Thai public health personnel and those of the neighboring countries in mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS; and
3) to support implementation of Ministry of Public Health?s Border Health Plan.
Source: Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) December 01, 2020