Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The cabinet approved and acknowledged the following proposals of Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, as chair of constitutional referendum reviewing committee:
1. Approved in principle the draft Referendum Act (No. ?), B.E. ?, and ordered for the draft Act to be forwarded to Office of Council of State for further scrutiny
2. Acknowledged plan for the drafting of secondary laws, timeframe and framework of the secondary laws issued under the draft Act
The draft Referendum Act (No. ?), B.E. ?, is a revision to the Referendum Act, B.E. 2564 on referendum dates and vote count, voting method, and free expression of opinions on the referendum.
The cabinet acknowledged the 2022 Annual Report of the International Institute for Trade and Development (Public Organization), as proposed by Ministry of Commerce.
Gist of the 2022 Annual Report of the International Institute for Trade and Development (Public Organization) (ITD) is as follows:
1. ITD has implemented projects and activities to create cooperation and knowledge to increase capacity of Thai SMEs for them to have higher potential and be able to compete in ASEAN. It also strived to reduce trade restrictions and barriers through such activities as: (1) presentation of 2021 trade and development reports; (2) short-term trainings on trade and investment; (3) Entrepreneur training: How to target RCEP (the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) market; and (4) assessment of non-tariff trade measures, and their impact on trade and competitiveness of Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos (CLMV) with Thailand.
2. Publication of academic articles and dissemination of academic information of the institution in the forms of news and scoops through printed media, radio, television, and ITD website.
3. Expansion of domestic and overseas network for knowledge creation and academic service provision through organizing training activities/conferences/seminars, and conducting researches in collaboration with various agencies, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ministry of Industry, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, etc.
4. Comparative financial statement between fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2022:
tems B.E. 2564 B.E. 2565
Total assets 62.74 59.39
Total debts 6.20 3.40
Total net assets/equity 56.26 55.98
Total income 35.71 43.18
Total expenses 41.05 43.36
ITD performances for fiscal year 2022 yielded an added economic and social value of 244.04 million baht through leveraging research knowledge and successfully implementing policies toward tangible results.
The cabinet approved the following proposals of Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
1. Approved a Thai delegation to participate in the negotiation of Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). The delegation will compose of representatives from 1) Ministry of Foreign Affairs; 2) Office of the Attorney General; 3) Office of the Judiciary; 4) Ministry of Justice; and 5) Office of Council of State.
2. Approved negotiation framework for the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed)
3. Approved adoption of the joint statement on future establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed)
4. Authorized Ministry of Foreign Affairs to notify People?s Republic of China on Thailand?s intent in participating in the the negotiation and adopting the joint statement
IOMed is established by People?s Republic of China as an intergovernmental legal body dedicated to settling international disputes by mediation. If the negotiation of Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) is favorable for the best interest of Thailand, IOMed will become another stage for dispute resolution, other than the existing International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (CSID), and Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
The cabinet approved Thailand?s adoption of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States - a Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity during the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States. Should there be an amendment in parts that are not gist nor against national interest, Ministry of Foreign Affairs may proceed without having to resubmit to the cabinet. Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assigned as head of the Thai delegation to adopt the document. This is as proposed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States - a Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity demonstrates political intent to support small islands development states in achieving SDGs through solving their major problems, i.e., food security, water management, resilience to climate change, and disaster response.
The cabinet approved the draft letter indicating Thailand?s intent on becoming a member of BRICS economic bloc, as proposed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
BRICS has a policy to expand beyond its current members, and has invited non-member countries to attend the 16th BRICS Summit, to be held in Kazan, the Russian Federation on October 22-24, 2024. This will be an opportunity for Thailand to accelerate its accession to BRICS in a bid to enhance Thailand's role as a leader among developing countries, and increase the country?s opportunity to take part in international economic policy making.
At the 15th BRICS Summit, expansion of the group's membership was approved. Guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedures for BRICS membership expansion have been decided in accordance with the BRICS objective of strengthening cooperation under the three pillars of political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people cooperation. Guiding principles also include support for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, and an increased representation of developing countries in UN Council?s memberships.
Standards and Criteria for BRICS membership expansion are such as having diplomatic and friendly relations with all existing BRICS member states, and accepting BRICS statements and declarations as an expression of the BRICS vision, principles and objectives, among others.
The letter, drafted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Thailand has placed importance on multilateralism, and the increased representation of developing countries in the international system, which is in line with BRICS principles. Thailand?s accession to BRICS would benefit the country in several dimensions, i.e., elevating the country?s role in the international arena, and increasing its opportunity to take part in international economic policy making and to create a new world order.
Source: Cabinet Meeting (Srettha Thavisin) May 28, 2024