The cabinet met via a video conference on May 18, 2021. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The cabinet approved the draft Royal Decree on land expropriation in parts of Songkhla province (Ban Pru and Kuan Lang sub-districts in Hat Yai district, and Thung Lan and Khlong Lah sub-districts in Khlong Hoi Khong district), B.E. ?, as proposed by Ministry of Transport.
The Royal Decree prescribes areas in Songkhla province (Ban Pru and Kuan Lang sub-districts in Hat Yai district, and Thung Lan and Khlong Lah sub-districts in Khlong Hoi Khong district) to be expropriated for construction of the Highway No. 425 (eastern Hat Yai Ring Road: Ban Pru- Hat Yai Airport Entrance) for the total distance of 7.182 Kms.
The cabinet approved in principle the draft Commerce Ministerial Announcement on revocation of Commerce Ministerial Announcement on export of automotive diesel oil (No. 85), B.E. 2541, B.E. ?, as proposed by Ministry of Commerce.
The draft Commerce Ministerial Announcement prescribes revocation of Commerce Ministerial Announcement on export of automotive diesel oil (No. 85), B.E. 2541 to decrease law redundancy since regulations regarding export of diesel oil has already been specifically prescribed under the Excise Act B.E. 2560.
The cabinet approved the draft Royal Decree under the Revenue Code Regarding Exemption from Revenue Taxes (No. ?) B.E. ? (Extension of tax measures for import of COVID-19 medicines, medical supplies, and equipment for donation purpose), as proposed by Ministry of Finance.
The principle approved by the cabinet covers:
1. Exemption of VAT for the import of goods, used in COVID-19 treatment, diagnosis, and prevention, to be donated to medical facilities, i.e., public hospitals and medical facilities, public university/ public organization/ state enterprise hospitals, medical facilities administered by local administrations/other state agencies/the Red Cross/public charities/organizations, or medical facilities announced by Ministry of Finance.
2. Exemption of corporate income tax and VAT for companies or juristic partnerships for the donation of goods to medical facilities/hospitals as prescribed in 1, without having to deduct the cost of goods as expenses in their corporate income tax calculation. Extension of the tax measure for import of COVID-19 medicines, medical supplies, and equipment for donation purpose has taken effect during March 1, 2021 ? March 31, 2022. The previous phase of the tax incentive has ended on February 28, 2021.
The cabinet acknowledged result of the study on an establishment of Fire Fighting and Disaster Mitigation Institute, as proposed by Ministry of Interior, and approved in principle for the establishment of the Institute. Ministry of Interior is to collaborate with other concerned agencies in proceeding and considering related details including legal procedures, and resubmit to the cabinet for its approval.
The cabienet acknowledged the 2020 human rights evaluation report and 2020 annual report of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, as proposed by the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand.
The 2020 human rights evaluation report prescribes situation overview, problems, obstacles, and suggestions on human rights promotion and protection. Th evaluation has been made in 4 aspects: 1) human rights in specific situations (i.e., COVID-19 pandemic, and political rallies); 2) civil rights and political rights; 3) economic, socio-cultural rights; and 4) individual human rights situation (children, elderlies, persons with disabilities, women, and those with rights and status problems, as well as gender equity).
The 2020 annual report of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand prescribes outcomes of NHRC?s 5 missions: 1) Investigation of Human Rights Violations; 2) Recommendations of measures or guidelines for promotion and protection of human rights; 3) Clarification of facts on incorrect or unfair reporting of the human rights situation in Thailand; 4) Creating awareness of all sectors in the society on the importance of human rights; and 5) Management and Organization Development.
The cabinet approved the budget (FY2021 central budget for problem solving, remedy, and rehabilitation as a result of spread of COVID-19) for the total amount of 387,325,102 Baht to the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Navy, and the Royal Thai Air Force for expenditure related to COVID-19 pandemic responses, as proposed by Ministry of Defense.
The approved budget will be allocated for:
1) Expenditure related to the implementations of the Security Emergency Response Operation Center: total budget of 206,865,255 Baht:
The Royal Thai Army 188,264,375 Baht
Royal Thai Navy 10,186,200 Baht
Royal Thai Air Force 8,414,680 Baht
2) Expenditure related to the interception of illegal smuggling along the Western border area: total budget of 79,866,004 Baht:
The Royal Thai Army 69,077,656 Baht
Royal Thai Navy 10,788,348 Baht
3) Expenditure related to the establishment of field hospitals: total budget of 100,593,843 Baht:
The Royal Thai Army 40,758,673 Baht
Royal Thai Navy 55,804,070 Baht
Royal Thai Air Force 4,031,100 Baht
Source: Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) May 18, 2021