The cabinet met on October 10, 2023. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The Cabinet approved in principle the Draft Royal Decree on prorogation of the first legislative ordinary session of the National Assembly, B.E. ? (from October 31, 2023 onward), as proposed by the Cabinet Secretariat.
According to Section 121 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, each year there shall be two ordinary sessions of the National Assembly, each of which shall last 120 days. The day on which the first sitting is held shall be considered the commencement date of the first annual ordinary session, and the commencement date of the second annual ordinary session shall be fixed by the House of Representatives.
In light of the above, the convocation and prorogation dates of the National Assembly are set as follows:
Year First annual ordinary session (B.E.) Second annual ordinary session (B.E.)
1 3 July2023?30 October2023 12 December 2023?9 April 2024
2 3 July2024?30 October2024 12 December 2024?9 April 2025
3 3 July2025?30 October2025 12 December 2025?9 April 2026
4 3 July2026?30 October2026 12 December 2026?9 April 2027
It is, therefore, appropriate for the first annual ordinary session of the National Assembly to be prorogued from October 31, 2023 (2566) onward.
The cabinet approved the request for FY2024 budget framework of the Office of Trade Competition Commission, for the total amount of 470.7039 million Baht, to be included in the draft Budget Expenditure Act, B.E. 2024. This is as proposed by Ministry of Commerce?s Office of Trade Competition Commission.
Office of Trade Competition Commission?s request for the budget is doable as it is within the timeframe set by the cabinet. The request elaborates objectives, action plans and budget expenditure plans, budget and related reports in accordance with the Budgetary Procedures Act, B.E., 2561 (2018).
The cabinet acknowledged Industrial Economics Status for Q2/2023 and July 2023, and outlook for Q3/2023 as proposed by Ministry of Industry.
Based on the report, manufacturing production index (MPI) in Q2/2023 continued to contract by 5.6% due to the contraction in manufacturing for export of several products as a result of global economic recession. However, industries, related tourism expanded well, especially food and beverages. Key industries that caused the contraction were hard disk drive, and non-tyre rubber products, whereas key industries that have expanded well in Q2/2023 were automobiles, and sugar production.
Manufacturing production index (MPI) for July 2023 also contracted by 4.4% YoY due to the contraction in manufacturing for export of several products as a result of global economic recession. However, domestic economy remains driven by tourism sector. Key industries that caused the contraction were hard disk drive (-39.13%), furniture (-44.93%), and electronics parts (-9.73%), whereas key industries that expanded well in July 2023 (YoY) were oil refinery (+4.99%), and automobiles (+5.34%).
Economic outlook for key industries in Q3/2023 is as follows: iron and steel industry is expected to slightly contract (YoY); electronics industry is also expected to contract due to the cost burden; rubber and rubber products is forecasted to contract due to the decrease in demand from the international markets; and food industry as a whole is expected to slightly contract (YoY) due to economic recession of trade partners. However, Tourism and sugar export are expected to fare well.
The cabinet approved the draft ASEAN Plus Three Leaders? Statement on Developing of Electric Vehicle Ecosystem. Upon the cabinet?s approval, Ministry of Commerce is authorized to officially inform Indonesia, the current chair of ASEAN. This is as proposed by Ministry of Commerce.
Title: Protocol on phytosanitary measures for the export of fresh passion fruit and podocarpus polystachyus from the Kingdom of Thailand to People's Republic of China
Approved:
1. Protocol on phytosanitary measures for the export of fresh passion fruit from the Kingdom of Thailand to People's Republic of China between Thailand?s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and General Administration of Customs of People?s Republic of China (GACC)
2. Protocol on phytosanitary measures for the export of podocarpus polystachyus from the Kingdom of Thailand to People's Republic of China between Thailand?s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and General Administration of Customs of People?s Republic of China (GACC)
3. Should there be an amendment in parts that are not gist nor against national interest, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives may proceed without having to resubmit to the cabinet.
4. Approved Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives or a representative as signatory of the two Protocols
5. Authorized Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue the Full Powers to Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives or a representative who shall be signatory of the two Protocols
The two Protocols will be signed during the Prime Minister visit to China mid October.
Source: Cabinet Meeting (Srettha Thavisin) Oct 10, 2023