Explanation to the House of Representatives on the Government’s Planned Two-Trillion-Baht Loan

(29/03/2013)

The Government has opted to issue a bill on its planned two-trillion-baht loan for infrastructure mega-projects, instead of seeking funds to finance them through the annual national budget process, because it wants the projects to continue without disruption caused by political changes. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gave an explanation on the bill to the House of Representatives, which began to debate it in the first reading on 28 March 2013. She said that many mega-projects in the past had been suspended or scrapped because of political turmoil. The annual national budget process is not favorable to investment in large projects that require continuous and long-term implementation. The Prime Minister pointed out that Thailand needs to create confidence among investors about the continuation of the projects and its future development plan. She explained that the planned investment in infrastructure development was meant to build a better future for the next generation. So the projects should not be changed following political uncertainties. The mega-projects would also attract more investment and strengthen the country’s economy on a sustainable basis. The Prime Minister said that the two-trillion-baht investment would also be supplemented by the annual budget and investment funds of relevant state enterprises. The private sector would be invited to invest in certain projects, as well. The Government came up with these projects based on four concepts. The first concept involves ASEAN connectivity, linking Thailand with neighboring countries through the double-track system and the high-speed train service. The second concept emphasizes the distribution of wealth and the improvement of the Thai people’s quality of life. This means that congestion in Bangkok will ease, while new economic centers will be built in the regional areas of the country. The third concept involves efforts to strengthen Thailand’s economy by linking the production chains of agriculture, industry, and exports. The fourth concept seeks to connect tourism cities in the country. Thailand boasts many natural and cultural tourism destinations. With sufficient transportation and logistics facilities, those destinations will become more attractive to tourists. The Prime Minister said that the Thai economy over the next seven years of the investment projects would see an increase in GDP by one percent annually. The projects would generate jobs for 500,000 people and help stabilize the overall economy. Prime Minister Yingluck gave her assurance that the projects would be implemented with transparency, in accordance with the regulations of the Prime Minister’s Office and other related rules and regulations. She urged the House of Representatives and the people to join the Government in building the foundations for the future of Thailand and the next generation.

Thailand Welcomes Investments by Papua New Guinea

(29/03/2013)

Thailand welcomes investments planned by Papua New Guinea in Thailand, which is becoming the logistics hub of the ASEAN Community. In her speech at the Thailand – Papua New Guinea Business Event, held in Papua New Guinea on 25 March 2013, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra stated that Thailand would continue its technical cooperation with Papua New Guinea to develop local capacities and human resources in order to support the growing economy of Papua New Guinea. She called on the two countries to work together to increase the 400 million US dollars in trade and investment between them, since the value was in fact minimal. The Prime Minister said that Thailand supports overseas direct investment and exports by Thai companies, while promoting foreign direct investment in the Thai economy, giving special importance to the role of the private sector. Thai investors in agro-business and fishery industries are also looking for local partners to expand the market in Papua New Guinea and in the wider Pacific Islands market. As for tourism, she said, Thai companies are ready to bring their knowhow and work with local firms to brand and market the tourism industry of Papua New Guinea, whether in eco-tourism or other areas. And with Thailand attaching great importance to energy security, it supports successful cooperation and investment in the energy sector there. In the joint press statement between Prime Minister Peter O’Neill of Papua New Guinea and Prime Minister Yingluck on the same day, Papua New Guinea welcomed Thai business people wishing to explore business opportunities in Papua New Guinea, particularly in the areas of energy, agricultural products, fisheries, tourism, and infrastructure. In the area of technical cooperation, Prime Minister Yingluck expressed the Thai government’s preparedness to provide its expertise and experience in key development areas of priority to Papua New Guinea, such as public health, sufficiency economy, agriculture, fishery, SME development, and tourism. The two leaders underscored the positive outcomes of their bilateral discussions, which have resulted in a number of joint commitments and cooperative endeavors. In this regard, they attached importance to the establishment of the Papua New Guinea – Thailand Bilateral Consultations as a mechanism to discuss areas of mutual interest, ranging from political issues to economic and technical cooperation, as well as global challenges. Both leaders agreed that the consultations between the two countries would be at senior level and that the first meeting would be hosted by Thailand, in which the first framework of the discussion will include Thailand’s Technical Cooperation to advance business partnerships between Thailand and Papua New Guinea for the benefit of the two countries.

Festival of Science and Profession towards ASEAN in Central Thailand

(29/03/2013)

The Minister of Education, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, chaired the opening ceremony of the “Festival of Science and Professions towards ASEAN in Central Thailand”. Organized by the Office of Non Formal and Informal Education (ONFIE), this event was held at the Sra Morakot Learning Park at ONFIE's local office in Samut Sakorn.

The Minister of Education said that he had learned that this event was crowd-pleasing and useful for non-formal education management. ONFIE showcased distinctive features of all regions in Thailand for both the unemployed and those who already in employment so that they could use the information to develop their professional skills.

Taking place on 25 to 27 March 2013 in Samut Sakorn, this event aimed to provide professional training to the unemployed and develop the professional skills of those who have jobs. It served as an activity to develop the population in preparation for ASEAN Community in terms of giving people moral support and positive attitudes to their present careers and promoting mutual living in society, especially in the community of Thai, Burmese and Raman people.

Activities included scientific studies from 16 provincial learning centers, displays by 10 professional training and development centers for Thai people along the Thai borders, activities by the 40 local offices of ONFIE in Samut Sakorn and other Networks of Learning Promotion for living together in the community of Thai, Burmese and Raman people. All the activities were prepared with the cooperation of the Network for Continuous Learning in Thai-Burmese borders towards the ASEAN Community and the Network on Informal Learning to create a learning society in Samut Sakorn.

Educational Success

(29/03/2013)

On 26 March 2013 at Suphan Buri Technical College, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Education, Mrs. Siriporn Kitkuakul, chaired a ceremony to award degree diplomas to graduates in the academic year 2012   Mrs. Siriporn said that education was a valuable and useful acquisition because it enabled people to solve problems and improve society.

Graduation is only one step towards completing a mission, because real education never ends and people have to continue learning at all times in order to have a prosperous future. So, we need to learn continuously for advancing our professional skills and for living happily with others. Education makes people realize the importance of leadership, unity, discipline, honesty and social contribution.

In the academic year 2012, 203 students from Suphan Buri Technical College completed their studies, 131 of whom finished lower vocational education and 72 finished at the higher level.

After the graduation ceremony, Mrs. Siriporn attended a ceremony to open a pavilion of commemoration for His Majesty the King's 84th birthday anniversary at Suphan Buri Technical College. The pavilion houses Phra Buddha Wimok, a Buddha image of the College. Then, she paid homage to Phra Vishnukrom, the God of Craftsmanship highly respected by Thai craftsmen.

Suphan Buri Technical College is now offering courses at lower and higher education levels on electronics, power electricity, construction, industrial mechanics, engine, technical industry and basic technicians. With Mr. Phisit Pattana-anusorn as the director, the College creates students who serve the needs of the labor market and enables them to use their knowledge effectively in their professions.

Educational Cooperation between Thailand and Bhutan

(29/03/2013)

The Secretary General of the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), Dr. Chaipruek Serirak, gave a warm welcome to the Permanent Secretary of Labor and Human Resources, Mr. Pema Wangda, and H.E. Mr. Kesang Wangdi, the Ambassador of Bhutan in Thailand, and other delegates from Bhutan who visited OVEC to follow up the work done by 19 English teaching volunteers from Bhutan. The volunteers came to Thailand on 1 November 2012 and are now teaching students at 16 vocational colleges.

The Bhutan delegates also discussed cooperation between the two countries on vocational education management with Dr. Chaipruek.