The cabinet meeting on Tuesday 11, August 2009 has come to the following decision:
The cabinet considered the implementation plan for building MRTA Purple Line Metro (Bang Yai — Bang Sue) and endorsed the following:
1. The cabinet was informed of the progress of implementing plan to build Purple Line metro. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) was assigned to further work on the process.
2. The cabinet approved the adjustment of budget for the railway system construction, in the 6th contract, from 4,077 millions baht, as approved by the cabinet on 17 June 2008, to 3,638 millions baht.
The cabinet endorsed the resolution of the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) on 10 August 2009 on the relief measure for people affected by high energy prices. The measure covers price reductions in transportation, industry, manufacturing, and household sectors. It will also help reduce cost of living, and cost of production in order to boost the nation’s economy. Specific measures include:
1. Reduction of diesel retail price for 2 baht/liter. 2. Fixing retail price of LPG for one year (August 2009 — August 2010). 3. Supporting the use of natural gas esp. NGV as an alternative energy. 4. Fixing NGV retail price at 8.50 baht/kilogram for one year (August 2009 — August 2010). 5. Fixing Ft rate until August 2011 to lessen the burden of the people and to increase competitiveness of the industry 6. Examining the oil supplies at the oil terminal and gas stations.
The cabinet approved the two measures proposed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
1. The cabinet approved the draft negotiation framework on overlapping sea claims of Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam and submitted the draft for the consideration of the National Assembly.
2. The cabinet assigned Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide related information to the public and to organize public hearing as well as explain to the National Assembly about the negotiation framework.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam have negotiated Tripartite Overlapping Claims Area (TOCA) since February 1998, but have not achieved in the past two meetings. The three countries have agreed to jointly develop the disputed area. Malaysia and Vietnam have informed their intentions to bring the issue to an end as soon as possible. Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed that the negotiations should be continued to produce a final agreement.
The cabinet approved the draft Memorandum of Association Among the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi — Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) for Establishment of BIMSTEC Energy Center, and referred the draft Memorandum for the consideration of the National Assembly. The cabinet requested that Ministry of Energy consult with Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the implementation of the Memorandum.
--Cabinet Meeting (Abhisit Vejjajiva) August 11, 2009--