King of Bahrain Visits Thailand

(17/04/2013)

His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain is scheduled to pay an official visit to Thailand on 18-20 April 2013.

The visit is at the invitation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during her official visit to Bahrain in May 2012.

Prime Minister Yingluck will have an audience with the King of Bahrain to discuss ways of promoting bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, tourism, food and energy security, and education.

The discussion is also expected to include Thai-Bahraini cooperation under various multilateral frameworks, such as the United Nations, the Asia Cooperation Dialogue, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Another important issue to be raised for discussion involves the development of stronger links between Southeast Asia and the Gulf region, especially through closer cooperation between ASEAN and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. On this occasion, Prime Minister Yingluck will also host an official banquet in honor of the King of Bahrain.

Thailand and Bahrain established diplomatic relations on 17 January 1977. Since then, the two kingdoms have worked closely together to boost close and cordial relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited this official visit of the King of Bahrain as a testament to the longstanding and close friendship between the two nations. It also reflects the shared aspirations to enhance further these strong bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest.

Both countries have shared the view that bilateral cooperation in the area of health tourism should be intensified. Thailand’s healthcare service has attracted many patients from Bahrain and other countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The Thai government recently announced that visitors from six Gulf Cooperation Council countries seeking medical services in Thailand would be granted a 90-day visa on entry. The visa extension from 30 days to 90 days, effective on 4 January 2013, will be granted to nationals of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The Tourism Authority of Thailand regards the Gulf Cooperation Council as a growing market for Thailand.

Trade between Thailand and Bahrain in 2012 amounted to 429 million US dollars, an increase of 44 per cent over the previous year. Apart from rice, Thailand exports automobiles and automotive parts, jewelry, and frozen chicken to Bahrain. Imports from Bahrain include oil and steel.

Bahrain earlier proposed to cooperate with Thailand in establishing a distribution center to deliver Thai products to the Middle Eastern region. The Thai private sector also showed its interest in participating in construction projects in Bahrain, especially in architecture services and interior design.

Thailand to Give Oral Testimony in the International Court of Justice on 17 April 2013

(16/04/2013)

The Thai Ambassador to The Hague, Mr. Virachai Plasai, is scheduled to lead a team in giving the first round of oral arguments to the International Court of Justice on Wednesday, 17 April 2013, concerning Cambodia’s request for the court’s interpretation of the term “vicinity” of the temple of Preah Vihear (Phra Viharn).

Cambodia opened its case in the court on 15 April, with its Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Hor Namhong, as the representative, together with foreign legal advisors.

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, the Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, and Minister of Defense Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat are among members of the Thai delegation attending the oral hearings.

Mr. Surapong said that there was nothing new in various points presented by Cambodia and that its statement was not beyond expectation. The Thai team is ready to defend Thailand's position concerning the case, and it has prepared all answers to counter.

On 28 April 2011, Cambodia submitted the request for the International Court of Justice’s interpretation of the 1962 ruling concerning a plot of 4.6 sq km of land adjacent to the temple.

In the fitst round of oral arguments, Mr. Hor Namhong stated that Cambodia expected the court to interpret the 1962 ruling, which said that the temple of Preah Vihear is on Cambodian soil.

Cambodia will present the second round of arguments on Thursday, 18 April, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thailand’s second round of arguments will take place on Friday, 19 April, 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Philippines Displays Its Beauty through Dance and Music at ASEAN Series in Jakarta

(19-04-2013)

“Culture helps to shape and build a community, and as we build an ASEAN Community, we will bridge the divide through culture and come together as one, with one common identity and one shared vision. The Best of ASEAN Performing Arts celebrates ASEAN’s unity in diversity, showcasing ASEAN to the world,” said H.E. Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of ASEAN, at the opening of “Philippinescape: Showcasing the Beauty of the Philippines through Dance and Music” today.

The ASEAN Secretariat and the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN jointly present “Philippinescape: Showcasing the Beauty of the Philippines through Dance and Music” to an expected audience over 450 invited guests, students, the media, international organisation representatives, government officials, Jakarta based-diplomatic corps and art enthusiasts alike, at Jakarta’s historical performance arts venue Gedung Kesenian Jakarta.

“Despite the diversity and uniqueness of our cultures, ASEAN countries are of the same mind and vision to bring dignity, prosperity and freedom for their people under a canopy of a caring and sharing community,” said Philippines Permanent Representative to ASEAN, H.E. Elizabeth P. Buensuceso.

In this 9th installment of the “Best ASEAN Performing Arts,” the Philippines proudly brings one of the best dance groups in the country, the Bayanihan, the National Dance Company of the Philippines. The purpose of the series is to promote ASEAN awareness through the region's rich and diverse cultures, as well as to acknowledge the important role that Jakarta has played over the last 37 years as the host city of the ASEAN Secretariat.

The event is jointly organized by the ASEAN Secretariat and the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines.

Chairman of National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines H.E. Felipe M. de Leon, Jr., said, “The arts reflect a nation’s social relations and cultural values. When one contemplates with arts, a reflection happens on the psychic template of an artist or a community and it prompts a promotion and development of the arts that inspires and leads to different kinds of development.”

The repertoire of the performance will include:

TRADITIONS RENEWED

Dances that reinvigorate and breathe new life, meaning and feelings into ancient rituals and traditions in the highlands of Mindanao and in the Sulu archipelago.

INTRAMUROS OF MEMORY

The pervasive echo of four centuries of Spanish influence, augmented by Filipino style, defined by Filipino grace, is typified by this suite of dances.

MINDANAO MOSAIC

In southern Philippines, on the vast island of Mindanao and on the adjacent island of the Sulu archipelago, live Filipinos who embraced Islam as early as the 14th century. Their music, dance and costumes reflect Arabian and Indo-Malayan influences while capturing Muslim Filipino culture.

PEOPLE UNDER THE SUN

The friendly sunny nature of Philippine country people is captured in sparkling dances of skill, frolic and delight. This suite portrays bits of life in the Philippine countryside.

The previous Best of ASEAN Performing Arts series staged in Jakarta include “The Mosaic Archipelago” of Indonesia in May 2008; “Tapestry of Thai Beauty and Grace” in August 2008; “Singapore Showcase: Cultural Crossings” in April 2009; “The Royal Beauty of Golden Myanmar” in December 2009; “1Malaysia: Harmony in Cultural Diversity” in March 2010; “Charming Viet Nam” in December 2010; “Brunei’s Legacy” in March 2011, and “the Diversity of Intangible Cultural Heritage” of Cambodia in April 2011.

The tenth Best of ASEAN Performing Arts series will feature Lao PDR later this year.

EU-ASEAN Conference Stresses the Need to Move Ties to a Higher Level

(18-04-2013)

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Le Luong Minh, and Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU), Julian Wilson, opened a high-level ‘EU-ASEAN Economic & Policy Forum’ today at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. During the conference senior officials and experts from both regions assessed past developments and future prospects of the EU and ASEAN integration processes. The vibrant and dynamic panel discussions focused on how the EU-ASEAN relations should move forward in the context of rapidly changing economic and geopolitical realities.

Despite the challenges confronting both regions’ respective regional integration processes, ASEAN-EU dialogue relations, encompassing political, socio-cultural and economic cooperation continued to be strong. This can be gleamed from the vibrant trade and investment flows, which showed modest growth rates notwithstanding global economic conditions. But while the partnership remains close, developments over the next 5 years are expected to provide the impetus needed to bring the relationship to a higher level. This was the general message arising from the various presentations at the EU-ASEAN Economic & Policy Forum.

“The new ASEAN-EU Plan of Action is indeed relevant and timely, and should be expected to put ASEAN and EU in a good footing to address the challenges in the context of slow global economic recovery,” said the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Le Luong Minh. Meanwhile, EU Ambassador Julian Wilson stated, “It is very simple: Like ASEAN, we believe that when countries act together, it makes us stronger and more effective. That is what regional integration is about and that is why we say we have a ‘common DNA’ with ASEAN.”

At the moment, ASEAN is moving rapidly, with members engaged in an array of new initiatives designed to help achieve the goal of creating an ASEAN community by 2015. At the same time, these rapid changes are prompting the EU to take a fresh look at ties with the region. As a whole, ASEAN is the EU’s third largest trading partners outside Europe (after the US and China). Total trade in goods and services between the two sides reached €180 billion in 2012. The EU, on the other hand, is ASEAN's second largest trading partner after China, accounting for around 11% of total ASEAN’s trade with the rest of the world. Moreover, the EU is by far the largest foreign investor in ASEAN, holding around one quarter of all foreign investment stocks in ASEAN.

The Forum – attended by diplomats, officials of the Indonesian government, academics, the business community and media – repeatedly stressed the many shared interests between ASEAN and the EU while also underlining EU’s dedication to engage ASEAN Member States and the private sector in the region in order to strengthen economic ties, especially in light of the continuing economic dynamism.

Background

The international conference was organised jointly by Global Europe think-tank, ASEAN Secretariat, the EU Delegation in Jakarta, and Konrad Adenauer Foundation. ASEAN Foundation and The Habibie Center were associated partners of the event and The Jakarta Post provided support as Media Partner.

The main organiser, Global Europe, is an independent, non-for-profit think tank whose mission is to stimulate independent thinking on European Union’s external affairs. Apart from promoting international research collaboration and publication of briefing papers, policy briefs and commentaries prepared, Global Europe also organises international conferences, workshops and seminars on different political, economic, defence, security and diplomatic issues. Global Europe is committed to presenting a diversity of voices and ideas both from within and outside of Europe with the aim of achieving a balanced dialogue between different stakeholders and constituencies.

The conference was opened by EU Ambassador, Julian Wilson, followed by a keynote speech from ASEAN Secretary General, Le Luong Minh. Then, three panels provided ample opportunity for lively discussions and constructive debates. The panels explored the following topics: (1) 'Advancing Regionalism and Integration: EU and ASEAN Experience', (2) 'EU-ASEAN Relations in the Changing Global Order' and (3) 'EU-ASEAN Relations towards a New Era: Agendas and prospects'.

The panellists included:
- Professor Dewi Fortuna Anwar (Special Advisor, Office of the Vice-President, Indonesia)
- Lim Hong Hin (Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN)
- Professor Dorodjatun Kuntjoro Jakti (Professor of Political Economics, University of Indonesia. former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Finance, Indonesia)
- Dr Makarim Wibisono (Executive Director, ASEAN Foundation, Jakarta)
- Dr Jayant Menon (Lead Economist, Asian Development Bank)
- Shada Islam (Head of Policy, Friends of Europe Foundation, Brussels)
- Michael Matthiessen (EU Visiting Fellow 2012-2013, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS, Singapore)
- Professor Miriam Campanella (Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Turin, Italy).

On the occasion of this conference, the book entitled "EU-ASEAN Relations in the 21st Century. Strategic Partnerships in the Making" was also launched.

Contact person
Dr Daniel Novotny
Conference Coordinator
HP: 087846651073
daniel.novotny@global-europe.org
www.global-europe.org

ASEAN and Denmark Reassured Good Relations

(18-04-2013)

H.E. Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of ASEAN, updated H.E. Villy Søvndal, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark on the recent developments in ASEAN and expressed appreciation to the support rendered by Denmark to ASEAN bilaterally as well as through the ASEAN-EU cooperation framework, particularly at a time when ASEAN is pressing ahead with its Community building efforts. SG Minh stated that while good progress has been made towards achieving the goal, there remain enormous challenges that would require more concerted efforts by ASEAN. He also expressed optimism that the achievements made by ASEAN would enable the Association to forge ahead with a more comprehensive cooperation agenda beyond 2015. He stated that to realise the vision, the region would need to maintain the environment conducive for peace and stability.

At the outset, Minister Søvndal congratulated Mr. Minh on his assumption of office as the Secretary-General of ASEAN. Minister Søvndal said that he followed the developments in the region with keen interest. He highlighted that Denmark has been seeking ways and means to develop good relations with the countries in the region as well as with ASEAN. He was encouraged by the achievements that ASEAN has made, particularly in political cooperation, economic development and the promotion and protection of human rights through the establishment of ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.

Minister Søvndal offered Denmark’s support to ASEAN in the areas that it has expertise and experience, namely green technology, agriculture, education and social welfare and peaceful settlement of disputes. Minister Søvndal paid a visit to the ASEAN Secretariat and SG Minh yesterday.

The Meeting of the Secretaries-General of ASEAN-Korea Centre, ASEAN-Japan Centre and ASEAN-China Centre

(16-04-2013)

The ASEAN-Korea Centre hosted a meeting among  the Secretaries-General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre, ASEAN-Japan Centre and ASEAN-China Centre  on 12 April 2013 at the ASEAN-Korea Centre to discuss areas of collaboration that would further support cooperation among ASEAN and the Plus Three countries (the Republic of Korea, Japan, and China).

The ASEAN-Korea Centre, the ASEAN-Japan Centre, and the ASEAN-China Centre are intergovernmental organisations established between the Governments of ASEAN Member States, and Korea, Japan, and China, respectively. The organisations are the only one of its kind among the dialogue partners of ASEAN. The three Centres have been engaging in various work programmes and activities aimed to increasing trade volume, accelerate investment flow, invigorate tourism, and enrich cultural exchanges with ASEAN.

The important role of the Centres in strengthening cooperation among  ASEAN  Plus Three countries  was emphasised by the ASEAN Plus Three  leaders at the ASEAN Plus Three Summit t which was held to  Commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation  on 19 November 2012 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The ASEAN Plus Three Leaders  thereby expressed their anticipation on the three Centres playing a more constructive role in accelerating regional integration.

H.E. Chung Hae Moon, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre, H.E. Onishi Yoshikuni, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre and H.E. Ma Mingqiang, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Centre attended the meeting, first to be hosted by the ASEAN-Korea Centre since the establishment of the three Centres.  The Secretaries- General discussed had an extensive  and in-depth discussions on  future cooperation among the three Centres, such as implementing joint work programmes, personnel exchange, and sharing of information and best practices.

The meeting was aimed at institutionalising cooperation between the three intergovernmental organisations founded to promote cooperation with ASEAN. It is envisaged that the meeting will contribute to realising the long term vision of the ASEAN Plus Three  leaders of an East Asian community.

The Secretaries-General of the three Centres also discussed  ways and means to enhance  ASEAN Plus Three  connectivity, thereby opening up a new dimension for cooperation among the countries.

The Philippines to Display its Beauty through Dance and Music

(16-04-2013)

The ASEAN Secretariat and the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN will jointly present “Philippinescape: Showcasing the Beauty of the Philippines through Dance and Music” on 19 April 2013 to over 450 invited guests, at Jakarta’s historical performance arts venue, Gedung Kesenian Jakarta.

The Philippines is the ninth ASEAN Member States to take the stage in a series of the Best of ASEAN Performing Arts. Renowned performers will come from the Philippines—bringing with them instruments and sceneries to transport Jakarta-based audience to their artistic world. The purpose of the series is to promote ASEAN awareness through the region's rich and diverse cultures, as well as to acknowledge the important role that Jakarta has played over the last 37 years as the host city of the ASEAN Secretariat.

The repertoire of the performance will include: 

TRADITIONS RENEWED
Dances that reinvigorate and breathe new life, meaning and feelings into ancient rituals and traditions in the highlands of Mindanao and in the Sulu archipelago.

INTRAMUROS OF MEMORY
The pervasive echo of four centuries of Spanish influence, augmented by Filipino style, defined by Filipino grace, is typified by this suite of dances.

MINDANAO MOSAIC
In southern Philippines, on the vast island of Mindanao and on the adjacent island of the Sulu archipelago, live Filipinos who embraced Islam as early as the 14th century.  Their music, dance and costumes reflect Arabian and Indo-Malayan influences while capturing Muslim Filipino culture.

PEOPLE UNDER THE SUN
The friendly sunny nature of Philippine country people is captured in sparkling dances of skill, frolic and delight.  This suite portrays bits of life in the Philippine countryside.

The previous Best of ASEAN Performing Arts series staged in Jakarta include “The Mosaic Archipelago” of Indonesia in May 2008; “Tapestry of Thai Beauty and Grace” in August 2008; “Singapore Showcase: Cultural Crossings” in April 2009; “The Royal Beauty of Golden Myanmar” in December 2009; “1Malaysia: Harmony in Cultural Diversity” in March 2010; “Charming Viet Nam” in December 2010; “Brunei’s Legacy” in March 2011, and “the Diversity of Intangible Cultural Heritage” of Cambodia in April 2011.

The tenth Best of ASEAN Performing Arts series will feature Lao PDR later this year.

More ASEAN-Emergency Rapid Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) Members Trained

(16-04-2013)

The 3rd ASEAN-Emergency Rapid Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) Induction Course wrapped this week, ending an intensive seven-day-training in Singapore. “The ASEAN-ERAT was established based on the need in the region. The primary objective of the ASEAN-ERAT deployment is to support ASEAN Member States affected by disasters in the initial phase of disasters, to conduct rapid assessments, coordinate with local authorities for the deployment of  regional disaster management assets and provide logistics support to the affected countries for receiving humanitarian goods and  assistance to the disaster affected areas”, said Ms. Adelina Kamal, Head of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance Division of the ASEAN Secretariat.

Chief of Staff of Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Senior Assistant Commissioner Jackson Lim congratulated the 28 graduates from the ASEAN Member States and ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre). “Congratulations on your graduation. You have completed the first step of joining ASEAN emergency responders. The real challenge is now to convert your newly-gained skills and capacity to swift disaster response when called upon, despite the uncertainties and challenges in the initial phase of disasters,” says Mr. Jackson Lim.

During deployments on the ground, ASEAN-ERAT members will not be there as individuals from different organisations, but collectively as ASEAN, said Mr. Said Faisal, the Executive Director of the AHA Centre. “Let’s raise that ASEAN flag high and proud! We come together representing One Community of more than 600 million people in the region. Let’s ensure that whatever we are going to do, we do it for the good of the affected nation,” said Mr. Faisal. He further thanked the SCDF for their excellent support in organising and providing trainers for the training course.

The ASEAN-ERAT team is composed of experienced and trained individuals who have responded to disaster incidents in the region. ASEAN-ERAT was established by the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management, which comprises heads of national disaster management organisations in the ten ASEAN Member States. ASEAN-ERAT is managed by the AHA Centre, which serves as the coordination hub and centre point for mobilisation of resources to disaster affected areas in the region. With the completion of the 3rd Induction Course, ASEAN now has close to fifty ASEAN-ERAT members ready to respond to major disasters in the ASEAN region.

The course was co-organised by the AHA Centre and SCDF, with the support of the ASEAN Secretariat and the Government of Australia. Other partners supporting the course were the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), the Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS), and the AADMER Partnership Group (APG).

Thailand to host the 2nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit in 2015

(19-04-2013)

1. On 27 February 2013, the Thai Cabinet approved Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ proposal for Thailand to host the 2nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit and related meetings during 8-12 March 2015. The Leaders’ Summit will take place on 12 March 2015.

2. The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) was inaugurated in 2002 to be Asia’s first continent-wide policy forum.  Currently, the ACD has 32 Member Countries from every sub-region of Asia.Each ACD member has its vast and diverse natural and human resources, rich and historical heritage and economic and social potential. Its aim is to connect Asian countries for the benefit of Asia and build an Asian community without duplicating other organizations.  It is a forum for Asian countries to exchange views on foreign policy and to promote better understanding and cooperation, relying on their diverse strengths and potentials. The ACD’s key areas of cooperation include energy, culture, tourism, agriculture, finance, transport, and the environment.

3. As ACD Coordinator, Thailand plays a leading role since its inception. The country is also the Prime Mover of tourism and financial cooperation, and a Co-Prime Mover with other member countries in human resources development. From Thailand’s perspective, the ACD is a mechanism that can promote prosperity in Asia and play major roles worldwide, as well as making regional cooperation more efficient, effective, and productive.

4. Thailand hopes to draw on political support of other member countries in East Asia, South Asia and the Middle Easton issues of common interest both in the ACD framework and other international forums. Furthermore, Thailand, as a major food producing country, are seeking partners in the ACD and beyond to help produce to export food and agricultural products including Halal food, to the world.

5. At the 1st ACD Summit in Kuwait in October 2012, the Leaders endorsed Thailand’s proposal to host the 2nd ACD Summit in 2015, and expressed appreciation on Thailand’s role as ACD Coordinator. Thailand will also put forward key issues in the ACD including connectivity, food security and energy security.

6. Hosting the 2nd ACD Summit in 2015 is a timely opportunity. Thailand can play a constructive role in the international forum, as well as promoting its image and leading role in creating dynamism in international cooperation, especially in 2015 when the ASEAN Community is realized. The Summit will also help promote Thailand’s role in the international community and will support Thailand’s campaign for a non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2017-2018.

Academic seminar about Thailand in Argentina

(19-04-2013)

On 26 March 2013, Miss Patcharee Poompachati, Charge d’Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy in Buenos Aires presided over the opening of an academic seminar to publicize the research “Observing Thainess through Public National Holidays” done by Mr. Ezequiel Rodrigo Ramoneda of the Center of Southeast Asian Studies, at the Institute of International Relations, National University of La Plata.

The Charge d’Affaires gave the welcoming remark that Thailand and Argentina have already established its diplomatic ties for 58 years. Since then, the relations between the two countries have been very well developed, particularly on the people-to-people level including on tourism. However, it was recognized that people in Argentina still have limited knowledge about Thailand. The Royal Thai Embassy, thus, has initiated the project to promote the Thai study in the Argentine academic society by sponsoring an Argentine researcher to travel to Thailand in order to acquire the first hand information about the country. In this regards, the Royal Thai Embassy wishes that these information will be widely publicized to promote the better understanding about Thailand in the Argentine academic society.

Later, Mr. Ramoneda gave a presentation of his research regarding how Thailand has established its nation with the views on history of public celebrations and national holidays in Thailand by looking into the two main time periods during the Bangkok’s King Rama I – III and the King Rama IV – VI. The research stressed the importance of historical background and the role of the Thai Kings in governing, reforming, and administrating the country, as well as the relations between the monarchy, Buddhism, and people, which well reflect in the way how the country celebrates its major festivals and public holidays.

The seminar was followed by the reception hosted by the Embassy which was well attended by approximately 30 guests of university’s professors, researchers, and students. In this occasion, the Embassy had also prepared the “Thai coconut pudding” for the guests.

Ambassador of Thailand to the United States of America, had a conversation with Mr. John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State

(19-04-2013)

On 15 March 2013, Dr. ChaiyongSatjipanon, Ambassador of Thailand to the United States of America, had a conversation with Mr. John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State, about Thai-U.S. cooperation under the Fulbright Programme at the Department of State during the celebration of international exchange and the Fulbright Progamme.

State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway,paid a courtesy call on Mr. JullapongNonsrichai, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs

(18-04-2013)

On 11 April 2013 Mr.Torgeir Larsen, State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway,paid a courtesy call on Mr. JullapongNonsrichai, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs,and discussed bilateral and regional issues of common interest.  The Thai side took this opportunity to invite Norwegians to take part in the Thai Government’s large-scale infrastructure investment projects as well asin the Dawei Special Economic Zone and Deep SeaportProject in Myanmar, which will help boost economic development in Myanmar and the overall region.

SCTEP Gets Involved in Exam Cheating

(19-04-2013)

The Sub-Committee of Teachers and Education Personnel (SCTEP) has reportedly become involved in the recent cases of cheating in the recent teaching-assistant exam scandal. Some of its members have admitted being 'exam agents' and receiving money from examinees, tutoring them and even obtaining exam papers from the central office before forwarding them to the examinees.

After many local SCTEP offices in several provinces of Thailand had announced the results of the exam for teaching assistants, there was a report about 500 examinees whose high scores were somewhat dubious. Moreover, local SCTEP offices had informed the central office that some examinees appeared to have cheated despite unclear evidence. As a result, the SCTEP had to ask for all examinees' answer sheets to be returned to Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

On 13 April 2013, Mr. Adisorn Naowanont, the chairman of the local office of SCTEP area 7 in Nakhon Ratchasima, on behalf of the chairman of the local office of SCTEP in Northeastern Thailand, said that six persons, those involved in cheating in the exam and the examinees, were invited to assist in an investigation. The examinees said that they had worked very hard before the exam. However, officers found that their grade point averages for their bachelor degrees were not very good. Together with other evidence, it can be assumed that there had been cases of cheating.

To be sure, the local office of SCTEP in Nakhon Ratchasima will ask for more information from the DSI and OBEC as well as asking its central office for more time to probe this case.       

Mr. Adisorn added that the SCTEP had recently had an open-up talk with one of its members who had been chosen to be an exam proctor because the member had been asked to find and tutor examinees for this exam. This person admitted doing so by finding examinees who wanted to take an exam in Khon Kaen and moving them to sit the one in Nakhon Ratchasima.

"In terms of the exam papers the SCTEP member received, somebody in OBEC allegedly gave them to this member. The local SCTEP office will be reporting this to OBEC," concluded Mr. Adisorn.

Computer Hard Disks for Private School Students

(19-04-2013)

The Secretary General of the Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC) Mr. Bandit Sriphutthangkul recently reported that, according to OPEC, this year is the year to promote the quality of private education. So, private schools in Thailand have to emphasize student development by promoting creative and systematic thinking skills with proper teaching innovations. For example, Grade 3 students will be able to read well while Grade 4 ones will be able to communicate well in English. Schools have to focus more on activities outside the classroom.  At least 1,500 international schools in Thailand will have to pass international quality assessment.

"OPEC also has a measure to promote learning for private school students by giving them computer hard disks which contain e-learning modules for the five major subjects: mathematics, sciences, English, Thai and social sciences. The hard disks will have homework for Grades 3 to 9 students and can serve as one of teachers' teaching materials. This will gain the confidence of parents regarding the quality of teaching methods in private schools in Thailand. This policy will begin in the upcoming academic year," said Mr. Bandit.

Volunteer Spirit for Thai New Year

(19-04-2013)

The advisor on vocational education standards for industrial technicians Dr. Charnvet Bunpraderm visited a Mobile Center for Vocational Education which provided help to drivers and travelers during the Songkran Festival. There were many mobile centers on the highways and roads throughout the country. Apart from monitoring the work of vocational student volunteers, Dr. Charnvet gave them some food, drink and snacks as well as giving travelers, especially drivers, suggestions for fixing their cars and resting after long drives.

Students Awarded Princess Sirindhorn Trophy for Robotic Innovation

(18-04-2013)

The Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) organized the National Competition of Robotic Innovation for vocational students from 7 to 9 April 2013 at Ayutthaya Park Shopping Mall in Ayutthaya. Students winning the competition will be awarded a trophy from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

This year's main activities included the ABU robotic competition for vocational students. Entitled, "The Green Planet", the competition had 40 teams of students who had won regional competitions in Thailand. The first prize went to Hoy Lod Team from Samut Songkram Technical College while the first, second and third runner-ups were Eucalyptus Team from Kabin Buri Professional College, Hoy Lod Junior Team from Samut Songkram Technical College and Nil Mangkorn Team from Rayong Technical College. The other twelve teams, along with the four winning teams, will represent Thai vocational students when they participate in another ABU Robotic Competition with students studying at the higher education level. The winning team from this competition will take part in an international ABU robotic competition from 16 to 20 August 2013 in Vietnam.

At the national robotic innovation competition, there was also a competition for rescue robots in which 43 student teams participated. The first prize went to the Sum Koh Team from Kamphaeng Phet Technical College while the first, second and third runners-up went to the Megatron Bot Team from Wiang Sa Professional College, the VEC Rescue Robot Team from Wiang Sa Professional College and SKNTC RBC from Samut Sakorn Technical College., Forty-three students took part in  a competition for automated-arm robots for industrial work and the B-Tech Team won the first prize while the Blue Team from Suphan Buri Technical College, the Khaeng Kol Ban Paew Team from Ban Paew Professional College and the Khao Wong Team from Khao Wong Technical College were the first, second and third runners-up respectively. The competition for robots with automated hands and arms for the disabled had forty-three participating teams. The Nam Thaeng Team from Amnart Charoen Technical College won the first prize and the SAREN team from Surin Polytechnic College, the For You Team from Chachoengsao Technical College and the Kan Nakhon Team from Kanchanapisek Mahanakorn Technical College were the first, second and third runners-up respectively.

Teachers Needed for Private Schools

(18-04-2013)

So many teachers from private schools in Thailand recently sat a recruitment test for public teaching assistants that the schools have had to recruit new teaching staff. The Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC) wanted this exam to be finished within this month.

The Secretary General of OPEC, Mr. Bandit Sriphutthangkul, reported that the Minister of Education, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, and the Deputy Minister, Mr. Sermsak Pongpanit, would like the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) to start the recruitment exams for teaching assistants earlier with the application date in late April and the exam date in May to avoid the problem of exam cheating as happened last month.

If the exam begins in May, the announcement of the exam results and recruitment can take place when the first semester starts. Moreover, 20-30% of private school teachers pass the exam in the high ranks. If all of them are recruited as teaching assistants, private schools will not be able to find any replacements.

Therefore, OPEC and the private schools have to discuss plans to recruit more teachers to replace those who leave their jobs.

The Chairman of the Private Education Council of Thailand, Mrs. Jiraphan Pimpan, said that private schools did not object to OBEC organizing the recruitment exam. However, it should be done by 5 May so that schools can recruit new personnel to replace those who have left their jobs. Despite several discussions regarding this issue with the Education Minister, this problem has not been solved effectively.

Where to Study for 6,000 High School Students

(18-04-2013)

On 8 April 2013, the director of the Office of Secondary Education Service Area 2 of Bangkok Mr. Satja Sricharoen talked about progress of admissions for Grade 7 and Grade 10 students of lower and higher secondary levels in the upcoming academic year of 2013. He said that there would be a meeting to discuss ways to provide high schools for those students on 9 April. The results were to be announced on 11 April on schools' websites. Students, who are still looking for a school place, can select a school and apply for it through the website: www.secondary2.obec.go.th/2013. If they do not select any school, they will be assumed to have already found a place to study. Most of the schools that will accept the students are joint-development program schools or those supervised by the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) or the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Office (BMA).

Mr. Satja asked students who would like to study at the tenth grade level to contact the school directly because there were several areas of study at this level. However, he was certain that the admission of old students to study in the tenth grade in the same school was settled because OBEC had a clear policy to allow schools to accept potential students and that the number of students in each class should not exceed 45.

"I'm not sure there will be the same problems as last year because there're reportedly 4,400 Grade 7 students and over 6,400 Grade 10 students who are still seeking a place to study. What makes me more concerned is the admission of Grade 10 students because schools and students are expected to manage this by themselves," concluded Mr. Satja.

MOE Mobilizes ASEAN Community Project

(17-04-2013)

The Assistant to the Minister of Education, Mrs. Phuangphet Chunlaiad, chaired a board meeting in preparation for the ASEAN Community of the Ministry of Education at the Ministry of Education on 2 April 2013.

Mrs. Phuangphet said that, according to the ministerial order, the board consisted of two committees. The first one is an administration committee chaired by the Education Minister whereas the second is an operational committee chaired by the Assistant to the Minister.

Mrs. Phuangphet added that the operational committee she was chairing has seven tasks to complete. The first one concerns learning English and the languages of neighboring countries which falls under the responsibility of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) and the English Language Institute. The second one is creating basic knowledge about ASEAN which is also the responsibility of OBEC. The third one is formulating educational standard frameworks and national qualification frameworks which is the responsibility of the Office of the Education Council (OEC). The fourth one is the adjustment of flexible regulations which falls under the responsibility of the Office of the Permanent Secretary of Education and the Office of the Private Education Commission. The fifth one is the preparation for labor mobility which is the responsibility of the Office of the Higher Education Commission and the Office of the Vocational Education Commission. The sixth one is the arranging of meetings of the ASEAN countries which is the responsibility of the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Education on Foreign Affairs. The last task is providing public relations for ASEAN projects which is the responsibility of the Office of the Permanent Secretary of Education.

Mrs. Phuangphet added that campaigning for English learning relied on national awareness. She then proposed the project, "Speak English Now", to motivate Thai people to learn and practice English more. In addition, the Ministry of Education and the Woman Development Fund are organizing English training for Thai women. All the activities will enable Thai people to learn English communication in preparation for the ASEAN Community.

"Vocational colleges have to coordinate with ministries and private sectors in Thailand in order to survey their labor needs so that they can prepare appropriate human resources for the ASEAN labor market," emphasized Mrs. Phuangphet.

Number of Drop-Outs Decreases: OVEC

(17-04-2013)

The Secretary General of the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), Mr. Chaipruek Serirak, recently talked about a policy to solve the problem of students who drop out of vocational colleges under OVEC's supervision after 16% of a total of 400,000 students, most of whom were at the lower vocational levels, left their colleges during the academic year of 2011.

OVEC then allocated almost 100 million baht to 50 vocational colleges where the drop-outs occurred to formulate a plan to solve the problem. Recently, a meeting of vocational college administrators found that most of the students gave up their studies in the first year of the first semester. Such problem occurred with students of agriculture because they had not wanted to study this in the first place whereas other areas of study, such as tourism and hotels, commerce, engineering, electricity and electronics do not experience this problem at all.

"We haven't come to the conclusion yet about how much we can solve the problem but we believe that the number of drop-outs in the academic year of 2013 will decrease. Recently, we've found effective ways to care for students prone to drop out of schools along with solutions to problems of violence, sexual intercourse and illicit drug use. The meeting of vocational college administrators thus agreed to develop these ways and use them in all vocational colleges in Thailand," concluded Mr. Chaipruek.

ocational Students Create ABU Robot

(17-04-2013)

The advisor on policy and planning of vocational education, Mr. Jieng Wongsawatsuriya,
chaired the opening ceremony of the National Exhibition of Robots by vocational students
for the academic year 2012. This event took place at Ayutthaya Park Shopping Mall
in Ayutthaya. The winners of a contest in the exhibition will be awarded a trophy of
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and 16 student teams from Thailand will be
selected to participate in the ABU robot contest at vocational and higher education levels.
Only one winning team will go to an international robot competition in August in Vietnam.

Thailand Ready to Explain Its Position in the Case Concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear

(15/04/2013)

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, has reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to explain its position in the International Court of Justice concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear.

Mr. Surapong and Minister of Defense Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat on 14 April 2013 held a meeting with the Thai delegates and the foreign legal counsels and experts to finalize the oral arguments on the issue.

The oral arguments will be presented to the International Court of Justice during the public hearings in the Case Concerning the Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the Case Concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thailand).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the public hearings will be held at the Court from 15 to 19 April 2013 in The Hague, the Netherlands.

During the meeting, the foreign legal counsels and experts expressed their confidence in the information in the statements that Thailand will deliver at the public hearings and the Thai approach to the case.

Mr. Surapong expressed his full confidence in the validity of arguments and evidence which will be presented. Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol said that the foreign legal counsels and experts had expressed their appreciation to the Thai security agencies for supplying useful information.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also encouraged the Thai public to follow live telecasts of the oral proceedings on the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (Television of Thailand Channel 11), Radio Thailand (FM 92.5 and AM 981), Radio Saranrom (AM 1575), and on the internet at http://phraviharn.org.

Those who are interested can also find on the same website the written arguments submitted to the Court in 2012 by Thailand and Cambodia which will be disclosed at the Court’s permission on 15 April 2013.

Also on 14 April 2013, a special news center on the oral hearings was opened at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. The center will operate until 19 April.

One-Stop Crisis Center to Provide People with Immediate Social Assistance

(15/04/2013)

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has stated that the Government attached great importance to the solving of social problems and that its One-Stop Crisis Center would work to provide people with social assistance.

The statement was part of the weekly program “Yingluck Government Meets the People,” broadcast on NBT TV and Radio Thailand on 13 April 2013.

In the program, Prime Minister Yingluck referred to the launching of One-Stop Crisis Center on 9 April 2013 at Government House. The center, administered by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, aims to offer immediate assistance to children, women, older persons, and people with disabilities.

She cited social problems faced by these groups of people as human trafficking, child labor, teenage pregnancy, and various forms of violence against women, children, disabled persons, and the elderly. These problems have adversely affected the people’s quality of life and national administration as a whole.

She said that many government agencies, as well as civil society organizations and their networks, are responsible for handling social problems. The Government deems it necessary for relevant agencies and organizations to work closely together, so that the problems will be tackled effectively and promptly.

People may seek assistance from the One-Stop Crisis Center through three channels. First, they may contact more than 20,000 crisis units nationwide. The second channel is the hotline 1300, and the third channel is the website www.osccthailand.go.th.

The center provides physical and mental treatments, legal assistance, and recovery and rehabilitation with multidisciplinary teams to help affected people. It will receive complaints, transfer cases, and coordinate responses between various responsible agencies.

Prime Minister Yingluck said that all relevant units would work in an integrated manner. For instance, they would coordinate with hospitals and police stations for the affected people. Officials would be assigned to follow up on each case to ensure that the affected people would be provided with good care.

The One-Stop Crisis Center will be fully computerized in the next two months, linking related information with various agencies. With modern information technology, the center promises to give immediate social assistance to affected children, women, older persons, and people with disabilities.

The Prime Minister said that the Government had invited various networks to join the center, where people facing difficulties could look to for help. She called for joint efforts to ease social problems, so that the country would become a better, more livable society. In addition, every child, youth, woman, or aging or disabled person has the right to appropriate protection in accordance with the Constitution.

China Partnership in Traditional Medicine and Health

(15/04/2013)

“The 2013 ASEAN-China Summit Forum on Traditional Medicine and the theme of ‘Multi-Promotion of Traditional Medicine and Development and Cooperation’ are testaments to the partnership of ASEAN Health Cooperation with China on Traditional and Complementary Alternative Medicine,” said H.E. Alicia Dela Rosa Bala Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. DSG Bala joined the Deputy Minister Wan Guoqiang, Health Ministry, and Deputy Chairwoman Li Kang, Government of Guangxi Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China, in the Opening Ceremony of the Forum.

China and ASEAN countries are close neighbors and share similar cultures. In the process of political, economic, and cultural communication, traditional medicines in China and ASEAN countries interact by mutual supplement and promotion. Due to the establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, and the successful China-ASEAN Expo and the Business and Investment Summit, exchanges and cooperation between China-ASEAN countries have been greatly promoted in the fields of economy, trade, transportation, culture and health. With a well acceptance by the people, and as an important component to the national healthcare system in China and ASEAN countries, traditional medicine is playing a more and more effective role in maintaining health of the people.

This year’s Forum on Traditional Medicine was conducted recently in Yulin City, Guangxi. Totaling over 400 delegates, participants represented China, ASEAN Member States, private sector, academe, and development partners from the health and pharmaceutical sector, including those engaged in the promotion of Traditional and Complementary Alternative Medicine (TM/CAM).