Private Sector to Reduce Electricity Use during the Gas-Suspension Period

(27/03/2013)

The Ministry of Energy has asked for cooperation from the private sector to reduce electricity use from 5 to 14 April 2013, when Myanmar temporarily suspends its natural gas supply to Thailand for maintenance work. The Cabinet, during its meeting on 26 March 2013, acknowledged a report on preparations for minimizing impacts from a possible electricity shortage during the gas-suspension period. According to the report, the Ministry of Energy has received good cooperation from the Federation of Thai Industries and the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand in reducing power consumption. Members of the Federation of Thai Industries agreed to reduce electricity use by 408 megawatts during the period. The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand reported that its members would cut power consumption by 83 megawatts. When combined with an electricity cut of 56 megawatts from four large industrial plants, namely Thai Asahi Glass Factory, PTO Cement Mixer, and two Siam City Cement plants, power consumption by the private sector will drop by 547 megawatts. Regarding the campaign for energy saving, the Ministry of Energy told the Cabinet that it had worked out a plan to raise awareness about energy conservation for three periods: before, during, and after the emergency situation. A media plan has also been mapped out in cooperation with relevant agencies, so that the general public would be provided with useful information about energy saving. The Ministry of Energy will launch activities as part of the campaign at Government House on 4 April 2013, with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra presiding over the launching ceremony. As for the reduction of electricity use in the public sector, the Cabinet has instructed relevant agencies to monitor the reduction in electricity consumption in various government offices. The measure will set a good example for the general public. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy has prepared bunker oil and diesel to replace natural gas for electricity generation during the temporary disruption of the natural gas supply from Myanmar. Both bunker oil and diesel have been sent to power plants under the supervision of the Electricity Authority of Thailand and large private power plants. Small power producers have been asked to increase their electricity generation by 110 megawatts, as well. The report indicated that preparations for the gas-suspension period would lead to an increase in Thailand’s electricity reserves to 1,424 megawatts. At the same meeting, the Cabinet also approved the development of power transmission systems in the northeastern provinces of Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, and Amnat Charoen, in preparation for the purchase of hydropower from Lao PDR, with a combined investment fund of 7.3 billion baht. The project will help diversify Thailand’s energy sources and reduce its heavy dependence on natural gas for electricity generation in the future.

Do not Underestimate Students from their O-Net: Chinnapat

(27/03/2013)

On 25 March 2013, the Secretary General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), Dr. Chinnapat Bhumirat, talked about the results of the Ordinary National Education Test or O-Net of the Grade 12 students in the academic year 2012. He reported that some students had scored an average lower than 50% in each subject. Then, he suggested that the score did not measure how able a student was but we should consider how far educational quality has progressed. Dr. Chinnapat said that the scores in O-Net's eight core subjects had increased, especially in five of them: Thai, Social Sciences, English, Art, General Sciences and Health Studies. From now on,  OBEC will analyze the reason why students had very low scores and improve their learning.

"I don't want anyone to interpret that the lower the marks the students score, the lower their learning ability will become. We'd be better to consider their development more than their scores because I'd like the learning achievement to be a part of educational quality mobilization. This will reflect different things for the better and won't affect Thai education in a negative way," concluded Dr. Chinnapat.

TU Plans for ASEAN Studies Network

(27/03/2013)

The director of the ASEAN Studies Center of Thammasat University, Mr. Praphas Thepchatree, said at an academic conference to initiate ASEAN studies networks that one of the main challenges for the ASEAN Community lay in the vague understanding which might later result in overreaction and unnecessary fear. Therefore, Thai universities should build an ASEAN Studies network with other universities in the ASEAN region.

Serving as a mechanism for cooperation between universities in ASEAN to strengthen educational foundations, the ASEAN Studies network aims to develop human resources and create accurate knowledge of the ASEAN countries and their people.       

The TU's ASEAN Studies Center will serve as a resource hub for ASEAN Studies because it coordinated with many database centers and worked as an in-depth knowledge warehouse of ASEAN Studies materials.

"To successfully build the ASEAN Studies network, we should begin with creating local networks which link information together before expanding them regionally and inter-regionally," said Mr. Praphas.

Ms. Chadarat Singhadechakul, the director of the Foreign Higher Education Strategy Bureau to the Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC), said that, at the end of this month, a meeting of ASEAN Network Universities would be organized to discuss credit transfer between ASEAN universities. In actual fact, credit transfer is already used in student exchange programs.

Currently, 26 universities from 10 countries have become members of the AUN. Thailand has four AUN members: Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University, Mahidol University and Burapha University.

Creating Good Scientists should Start at Primary Level: Phongthep

(27/03/2013)

The Minister of Education, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, recently stated that the creation of innovative scientists should start in primary schools. In other words, students should gain the skills and knowledge at a very young age.

Mr. Phongthep chaired the opening of the 8th Conference on Science and Technology for Thai Youths organized by Silpakorn University's Faculty of Sciences and the National Institute of the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology. This event showcased scientific innovations by many gifted creators in Thailand and aimed to encourage Thai children to study the sciences according to the government policy of creating more Thai scientists. Although the National Institute has produced over 2,000 scientists, the country still needs more to improve, create and develop innovations useful for national development. Realizing that other countries are more advanced scientifically, Mr. Phongthep suggested that teachers should teach scientific knowledge to their students at as early an age as possible.

The Conference featured a lot of educational activities for the participants, namely poster and oral presentations of research projects, exhibits of research and over 400 scientific projects by Thai students.

Flood Risk Mitigation Plan for the Ayutthaya World Heritage Site

(26/03/2013)

A major project is being carried out to develop a flood risk mitigation plan for the Ayutthaya World Heritage Site in Ayutthaya province, which was badly affected by the prolonged and widespread flooding in Thailand in 2011. The project was launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 22 March 2013. It is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under its water financing program. Director of UNESCO Bangkok Gwang-Jo Kim said that disaster risk mitigation is one of the top priorities for World Heritage protection identified by the World Heritage Committee. Since October 2011, the Thai authorities have undertaken extensive repair work at the World Heritage site and have invested in water management systems for the Chao Phraya River basin. However, up to now, there has not been any long-term effort to protect Ayutthaya’s heritage assets from future flooding. This two-year project will assess the flood risks at the Ayutthaya World Heritage site and then develop a flood risk mitigation plan. Experts will undertake hydraulic modeling using computer simulations for flood risks at the site. Then, based on the results, project partners will develop a flood risk mitigation plan together with local stakeholders. International expertise in risk preparedness for cultural heritage conservation will be mobilized by UNESCO Bangkok in order to guide the development of the flood risk mitigation plan in line with international conservation standards. Mr. Kim said that upon successful completion of this project, Ayutthaya will be the first World Heritage site in Southeast Asia with a management plan for flood risk mitigation, setting an example for other World Heritage sites around the region. The project will be undertaken by the UNESCO Institute for Water Education based in the Netherlands, in close collaboration with UNESCO Bangkok. The project partners include the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Fine Arts Department of Thailand. An international expert seminar to commence the consultation sessions for the development of the flood risk mitigation plan is planned for October 2013. A former capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya, whose name is Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, is famous for monumental remnants of old palaces and temples spread across a tranquil landscape. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on 13 December 1991.

Japan Remembers ASEAN’s Help Two Years After Tsunami

(26/03/2013)

The anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in northeast Japan is the focus of the March 2013 edition of “ASEAN Today.”  

Interviews with residents rebuilding their lives, and what ASEAN did to help is in a special report from the area hit two years ago.             

Dalton Tanonaka of Indonesia’s Metro TV reports on the people and places of the dynamic Southeast Asia region.  Also included in this month’s program are stories on the booming business in coconut water in the Philippines, serving up snake in Vietnam, and the “Super Idol Taiwan” success of Indonesian singer Nana Lee.  Durudee Sirichanya, Head of Public Outreach and Civil Society Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, has the regular feedback segment.

This is the 17th episode in the informative and entertaining series, and can be viewed on YouTube (http://youtu.be/BLuW3WaS7KY) as well as through ASEAN broadcasters including Singapore’s Channel NewsAsia and Indonesia’s Metro TV.

“ASEAN Today” is a joint production of the ASEAN Secretariat and Metro TV. Some material is provided by broadcasters in member countries. Check local listings for broadcast times. For more information, contact Tanonaka at dalton@metrotvnews.com .

Bridging Science and Practice in Disaster Risk Management to Build Community Resilience

(26/03/2013)

The ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM), with the support of ASEAN Secretariat, convened the four-day ASEAN Capacity-Building Forum on Risk Assessment with the theme “of Bridging Science and Practice in Disaster Risk Management towards Building Community Resilience” last week in Bangkok.

The four-day regional event was officially opened on Tuesday, 19 March and was participated by disaster risk management professionals from ASEAN Member States, civil society groups, the academics, and the science and research community from the region as well as partners from Europe, Australia, and the United States. Three ASEAN sectoral bodies were represented in the forum, i.e. ACDM, ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) and ASEAN University Network (AUN).

Mr. Suporn Ratananakin, the Advisor to the Director General of Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) of Thailand representing the ACDM Chair, described the event as a unique opportunity for ASEAN as “...[the] disaster risk management community in the region, led by the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management will closely interface [in] the next [four] days with many esteemed colleagues, experts, professors, researches and tool developers from the science community with the objective of enhancing the synergy between these two communities and foster greater interaction and systematic collaboration in support of disaster risk reduction.”

Dr. Jane Rovins of the Integrated Research for Disaster Risks, in her message to the group, emphasised the relevance of bridging the gap between science and practice on disaster risk management as well as underlined the importance of understanding how people interpret risks and choosing actions based on these interpretations.

The first day of the forum also featured thematic session discussions on “developing a framework for dialogue between disaster risk management and science community in ASEAN,” “science-based risk communication,” and “accountability in disaster risk management.”

The forum was followed by a three-day introductory training workshop on selected risk assessment tools such as CAPRA (Comprehensive Approach for Probabilistic Risk Assessment), InaSAFE (Indonesia Scenario Assessment for Earthquakes) and OpenQuake (Open Source Software for Seismic Hazards and Risk Assessment). The workshop was participated by representatives from national disaster management and early warning agencies of the ASEAN Member States.

The four-day forum was culminated with an informal session of the ACDM Working Group on Risk Assessment, Early Warning and Monitoring. Next steps on identifying “bridge builders”, enhancing existing links to promote greater accountability, and establishing linkages among the three ASEAN sectoral bodies (i.e. ACDM, AUN and COST) were also identified in the meeting.

The ASEAN Capacity Building Forum on Risk Assessment was conducted in partnership with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre), AusAID and the Global Earthquake Modelling (GEM). Another major partner in the event is the Humanitarian Futures Programme (HFP), King’s College London which supports humanitarian responsibilities to develop organisational structures and leadership. A video of their work on building a dialogue between the science and the humanitarian community can be accessed here. The event was supported by the ASEAN-UNISDR Technical Cooperation, UK Natural Environment and Research Council (NERC) and ASEAN-Australia Cooperation Arrangement.

Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol,presided over the ceremony to inaugurate the exhibition entitled “Thailand’s Approach to Alternative Development”

(26/03/2013)

On 12 March 2013, Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations Office at Vienna, and Mr. Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), presided over the ceremony to inaugurate the exhibition entitled “Thailand’s Approach to Alternative Development”, which was held during the 56^th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) at the United Nations Office at Vienna from 11 to 15 March 2013.  The exhibition, in collaboration with the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), Ministry of Justice, Thailand Institute of Justice, Royal Project Foundation and Mae Fah Luang Foundation, highlights the Thai Alternative Development (AD) Model and explores its mainstreaming into the larger development context. The exhibition also highlights the promotion of the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Alternative Development, a joint effort by the Governments of Thailand and Peru which has been endorsed by the 56^th session of the CND.

Advisor to Minister of Laboru boosts morale of SME operators in Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon provinces

(22/03/2013)

On March 22, 2013, Mrs. Narumol Thandamrong, Advisor to the Minister of Labour, launched Ministry of Labour’s mobile projects to provide knowledge about wage laws and help business operators access the government’s measures designed to assist firms that might be affected by the 300 baht daily minimum wage policy and enhance their capability  in Nakhon Phanom and Sakon Nakhon provinces. During the visit, she also met with local SME operators and gave them morale support. No major impact of the policy was found to have affected local firms.

 

Mrs. Narumol said the project is part of the policies of Mr. Phadermchai Sasomsub, Minister of Labour, to enhance SME operators’ knowledge about the 300 baht daily minimum wage policy and minimum wage to ensure their compliance of the policy, and to help firms enhance their competitiveness and find access to the government’s measures designed to assist firms that might be affected by the policy and enhance SMEs’ capability.

The project also covers public hearing on impact of the policy. It provides a platform for business operators to exchange views with government officials and jointly work out solutions to prevent layoff and shutdown of business.

 

Mrs. Narumol said the 300 baht daily minimum wage policy has been implemented since January 1 and it has helped firms to stay alert and prepare for the formation of the ASEAN Community in the next two years. The government is determined to find out and address problems caused by the policy and continue assist SMEs find loan sources, increase their products and solve other problems.

 

On her first stop in Nakhon Phanom province, Mrs. Narumol chaired a workshop to hear problems, exchange views and experience and discuss solutions to impacts of the policy from local SME operators. The workshop was part of the Ministry of Labour’s mobile project. The advisor to the Minister of Labour also visited Nakae Pongjareon Rice Mill.

 

In Nakhon Phanom, there are a total of 1,205 firms, which employ 13,956 workers. Of them, 1,197 are SMEs. No firms have been forced to shut down following the implementation of the minimum wage policy.

 

On her second stop in Sakon Nakhon province, Mrs. Narumol chaired a similar workshop, which was also attended by local SME operators. In Sakon Nakhon, there are a total of 1,806 firms, which employ 13,956 workers. Of them, 1,739 are medium sized enterprise and 67 are small sized enterprises.

 

According to data from Ministry of Commerce’s Sakon Nakhon Provincial Business Development Office, a total of 98 new firms were registered while 26 firms closed their business during October 2012 and February 2013 period. Most of those firms, who went out of businesses, had stopped operating long before they made the registration due to their uncompetitiveness. During the January-February 2013, some firms also went out of businesses but the 300 baht daily minimum wage policy was not the cause of their shut down.

 

In both provinces, firms that are able to comply with policy have reduced their operational costs. They try to reduce the company’s activities, adjust employment condition, be strict on quality of work and increase discipline at workplace. Workers are also encouraged to work on voluntary basis. Firms, meanwhile, ask the government to reduce their burden through tax measures, cut loan interest, control prices of capital such as fuel and electricity and help them access to local sources.

 

Provincial labour offices and Ministry of Labour’s local agencies have worked together in carrying out the 300 baht daily minimum wage policy and collecting data about workers and employers who are affected by the policy. So far, no workers have been laid off while there have been no business shutdown due to the policy.

 

Provincial social security offices have distributed instructions about the 300 baht daily minimum wage policy to 2,600 firms which has more than one employee, held meetings to clarify employers, employees about the policy, held meetings with Ministry of Labour’s agencies, Sakon Nakhon Chamber of Commerce and Sakon Nakhon Federation of Industries and implemented emergency measures including extending officials hours to 6 pm from Monday-Friday and between 9am-4pm on Saturday and  coordinating with chamber of commerce, federation of industries, banks and relevant agencies in getting data about labour situation.

Ministry of Labour explores labour market in Brunei

(22/03/2013)

Deputy Permanent Secretary visits Brunei to explore market for Thai workers, saying labour market in the southeast Asian country has bright prospect as local employers are confident in skills of Thai workers, who they say – despite their weakness in English --, have responsibility, work hard and are more skilled than workers from other countries.

 

Mr. Poonsak Sethanandha, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Labour, led medical staff and nurses to provide medical checkup for Thai workers in Brunei.  During the visit to the country, he met with local employers including owner of Megalift Company, a logistics and oil delivery firm, to explore market for Thai workers.

 

Mr. Poonsak said he received positive response about Thai workers from local employers, who wanted to hire more workers from Thailand, particularly semi-skilled workers. According to the deputy permanent secretary, local employers say Thai workers have responsibility, work hard and are more skilled than workers from other countries.

 

For this reasons, Mr. Poonsak said Thai workers could earn more income than workers from other countries. Although, they have weakness in speaking foreign language, especially English, it is not too hard to learn. Ministry of Labour also provides Thai workers language training courses before they travel to work in other countries.

 

Mr. Singhadej Chu-amnart, Inspector-General of Department of Employment, said most Thai workers in Brunei have been working in the country for a long time and their employers trust in them. Salary in Brunei is not high compared to other countries but the cost of living in the country is similar to Thailand.  Thai workers there, therefore, can save a lot of money and send them home to their family.

 

He said Thai workers might not be attracted to come to work in Brunei now as the minimum wage in Thailand has increased to 300 baht per day while skilled workers could earn more than that level.

 

Meanwhile, Mr. Watcharapong Nanta, a Thai volunteer worker in Brunei, said Thai workers should earn at least BND$22 per day or some 550 baht in Brunei while skilled workers could earn some BND$35 per day or 875 baht, which is higher than workers from Bangladesh and Indonesia workers, who earn BND$15 and BND$17$ per day on average respectively. Local employers pay Thai workers a higher rate because they admire Thai workers for their hardworking and discipline.

ASEAN Scout Camp

(26/03/2013)

The Secretary General of the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), Dr. Chaipruek Serirak, recently met and talked to 32 Indonesian boy scouts and girl guides who attended the ASEAN Scout Camp. He also met Thai scouts and extraordinary girl guides from Su-ngai Kolok Professional College and some from Bang Sai Agricultural and Technology College. The former were coordinators of the camp while the latter were buddies for foreign scouts at the camp.

Organized by OVEC, the ASEAN Scout Camp is a part of the 17th National Scout and Girl Guide Assembly held from 23 to 29 March 2013 at Wajirawuth Scout Camp in Sri Racha District, Cholburi. Boy scouts and girl guides from Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia are attending the event. It aims to broaden the horizons of the participants, to allow them to exchange knowledge and experience and to serve as a forum to develop knowledge, ability and capacity of good boy scouts and girl guides. Of all 4,000 boy scouts and extraordinary girl guides taking part in the activity, 50 are students from ASEAN countries.

The major activities which promote happy living with others and the skills needed by boy scouts and girl guides are categorized into 7 types: camper type, principal type, academic type, life-skill type, skill contest, recreation and pastimes. All the activities encourage vocational students from Thailand to practice their skills, learn how to work with others and endure any difficulty so that they become good people after graduation.

Sermsak Receives Videos on Their Majesties

(26/03/2013)

The Deputy Minister of Education Mr. Sermsak Pongpanit received special videos, "For the Sake of Thailand" and "For the Queen with Power of Love" on 20 March 2013 at the Ministry of Education. Those videos will be used as teaching materials for schools under the MOE's supervision in southern Thailand.

The Secretary General of the Special Committee of the Royal Initiative Projects, Mr. Siwat Thep-arak provided the two videos, 3,000 of each title. The content is about their Majesties' work on national development to make Thai people happy. All the stories are told by Privy Councilors and those who have worked closely with their Majesties. The videos have already been broadcast via public television in Thailand.

Mr. Sermsak said that the special videos would create good understanding among students in southern Thailand regarding projects on education developed by their Majesties. After they watch the videos, the students will be grateful for their Majesties' kindness to all Thai people no matter what religions or nationalities they belong to. Mr. Sermsak also referred to His Majesty's statement on education for Thai youths. His Majesty once said, "Education is a crucial factor to create and develop the knowledge, thought, behavior and morality of each individual. If any country provides children with complete and good education, the country will prosper with good quality citizens and maintain its national stability in the future."

Education Minister Presents Report on SEAMEC Meeting

(26/03/2013)

On 21 March 2013 in Hanoi, Vietnam, the Minister of Education, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, along with the Minister of Education and Training from Vietnam, H.E. Prof. Dr. Pham Vu Luan, and the Director of the SEAMEO Secretariat, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vitthaya Jeeradechakul, presented a report on the 47th SEAMEC Meeting.

The Education Minister of Thailand said that the participants of this meeting considered and came up with resolutions on several issues. However, an issue that many participants emphasized was that of life-long education management. The participants proposed that this should be given to a specific group of people but not everyone. Yet, educational procedures should stimulate all people to realize the importance of education. For instance, Lao people prefer working to studying. However the higher the education they have, the more income they will earn. Moreover, IT is playing a crucial role in facilitating education access despite low technology in some countries.

Thailand has proposed that all member countries should cooperate with one another to develop software and applications on education which consume a lot of the budgets in each country. These products could be sold at reasonable prices. By so doing, education for all will become more possible. Moreover, seniors should learn how to develop themselves so that they will be able to earn an income when they are retired and can therefore remain independent.

In the next two years, education should be ready for the ASEAN Community. ASEAN people should have solidarity and unity with education as a mobilizing mechanism. The Ministry of Education of Thailand then proposed that ASEAN students should be allowed to study in ASEAN countries because they will develop skills in English and the native language of the country where they are taking courses. In addition, the students will learn about the traditional culture of the country where they are living.

As the chairperson of the SEAMEO Regional Center for Lifelong Learning (CELLL), the Vietnamese Education and Training Minister will act swiftly to promote the work of the Center and coordinate with other SEAMEO regional centers to support their work practically and effectively.

In terms of preparation for the ASEAN Community, the Vietnamese Education and Training Minister said that he would encourage educators to be active while maintaining the unity of ASEAN people and the identities of individual nations in this region.

People Urged to Help Monitor the 2.2-Trillion-Baht Infrastructure Mega-Projects

(25/03/2013)

People have been urged to help monitor the Government’s 2.2-trillion-baht transportation and logistics mega-projects to ensure that they would be carried out with transparency. Speaking in the weekly program “Yingluck Government Meets the People” on 23 March 2013, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong revealed that a new median bid price acceptable by all parties would be set for each project, and it would be considered together with the government procurement in the database of relevant agencies and budget allocation by the Ministry of Finance. The Cabinet on 19 March 2013 approved a draft bill empowering the Ministry of Finance to borrow 2.2 trillion baht to finance the infrastructure mega-projects. The draft bill will be debated in the first reading by the House of Representatives on 28-29 March 2013. Mr. Kittiratt said that during the closure of the parliamentary session in the middle of April, a House committee to be formed to scrutinize the bill is expected to look into this legislation before it is submitted to the House of Representatives for the second and third readings. He stated that the Government would seek an extraordinary House session in May to debate the 2014 national budget bill. During this period, he expects that the draft bill on the 2.2-trillion-baht loan would be considered in its second and third readings. The next step is that the draft bill would be forwarded to the Senate for consideration. He said that the Permanent Secretary for Finance and the Director of the Public Debt Management Office had told the Cabinet that they would ensure that public debt, which would increase as a result of this huge investment, would not exceed 50 percent of GDP, although Thailand has set its public debt ceiling at not over 60 percent of GDP. He explained that, since the 2.2-trillion-baht loan would be separated from the annual national expenditure, the Government would be able to set a balanced national budget in the next few years. This huge investment in the mega-projects is meant to enhance the country’s potential and competitiveness in the long run. He pointed out that the assets resulting from this investment would benefit the country for a long period, even after debt repayment is completed. According to Mr. Kittiratt, debt repayment for the projects will be made gradually, so that it will not cause a burden to the annual national expenditure. It is expected that the Government will be able to repay the loan within the next 50 years, or before. The Government has proposed that the loan be secured by 31 December 2020. He said that Thailand’s financial liquidity now was sufficient for securing the two-trillion-baht loan gradually over the next seven years. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt said that construction of several transportation and logistics mega-projects would begin next year. The Government has planned 10 routes for the high-speed train system and three more routes for the electric train system. It has also spent regular funds on studies of these projects.

The Celebration of the Nowruz Festival at the ASEAN Secretariat

(25/03/2013)

Seven Embassies of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member countries in Jakarta, namely Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan jointly held a “Nowruz Festival” last week at the ASEAN Secretariat. The festival, which has been celebrated for over 3000 years by many groups of people in the Middle East, Central and South Asian regions, is to mark the first day of spring and the official beginning of the New Year. The event at the ASEAN Secretariat entailed a photo and handicraft exhibition, musical performances and variety of national cuisines from ECO countries.

H.E. Mr. Tamerlan Karayev, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to ASEAN delivered opening remarks on behalf of ECO Ambassadors accredited in Jakarta. In his speech, he briefly explained the meaning of Nowruz and the Persian traditions regarding this celebration, which upholds the feeling of togetherness in one big family. He also expressed his appreciation to the guests for joining the people from ECO countries in the event and hoped that this tradition of celebrating the Nowruz will continue.

H.E. Mr. Nyan Lynn, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Political-Security Community, on behalf of the Secretary-General of ASEAN, gave his remarks at the festival. DSG Lynn highlighted the important meaning of the Nowruz as it is aimed to strengthen the ties among people based on mutual respect and the culture of peace and good neighbourliness—just as said by the thirteenth century’s Persian poet Saadi, “The children of Adams are limbs to each other, having been created of one essence.” DSG Lynn also expressed the honour for the ASEAN Secretariat to be the venue of the event, which would enable the Secretariat to contribute to further strengthening the awareness, mutual understanding and cooperation among the peoples of ASEAN Member States and ECO.

DSG Lynn further expressed his appreciation to the ECO Ambassadors Contact-Group (ECO-ACG) in Jakarta for taking the initiative to further enhance the close relationship between ASEAN and ECO, and hoped that it would grow stronger in the future.

Unemployment down in Feb 2013

(19/03/2013)

Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Labour cites data from Labour Economic Bureau as saying that the unemployment rate in February showed no alarming sign. He promises to continue providing assistances to SMEs through the ministry’s support centres.

 

Mr. Somkiat Chayasrinwong, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Labour, revealed he has been informed by the Labour Economic Bureau about labour situation in February, saying that a total of 411,454 firms registered for Article 33 of the Social Security Act last montn while employment continued expanding following the initial phase of the government’s 300 baht daily minimum wage policy in seven provinces in 2012, reflecting that the policy did not affect local business operators.

 

Mr. Somkiat said a total of 35,306 people were registered as unemployed in February, down from the January level of 10,075. Off them, 4,081 were laid off, accounting for 11.6 per cent.  This demonstrated that firms gained economic recovery after they had to adjust employment in January, which caused high rate of unemployment. Top five provinces with the highest employment rate in February were Tak, Phchit, Samut Songkhram, Sa Kaeo and Nong Bua Lam Phu.

 

Mr. Somkiat said the government sector and Ministy of Labour are closing monitoring the situation and will continue provide assistance to SMEs that are affected by the government’s minimum wage policy through it support centres.

 

Ministry of Labour operates support centres tasked with helping firms comply with the policy in every province and ad hoc support centres tasked with providing assistance for SMEs that might be affected by the government’s minimum wage, which is chaired by permanent secretary of Ministry of Labour.

 

Mr. Somkiat said a total of 253 SMEs registered for assistances from the centres last month. Most of them asked for assistance on skill development, hiring migrant workers, tax and loans. The centres informed their demands to relevant agencies, which then would urgently provide them with assistance and follow up and report the results.

 

He said an operator in Phitsanulok province previously requested for an assistance from the centre. After Phitsanulok chief labour officer and his officials visited the firm and found that it needed financial assistance to enable it to comply with the policy, they notified the TMB Bank, which then provided a loan to the firm to ensure it has sufficient liquidity to sustain its business.

Ministry of Labour joins anti-dengue campaign

(19/03/2013)

Ministry of Labour has joined an anti-dengue campaign, which is widely spreading in Thailand, asking for cooperation from firms to destroy mosquito larva in their factories and workers’ accommodation weekly. It also teaches workers and operators how to make lemongrass oil, which has an ability to prevent mosquito bite and sell it to workers at cheap price.

 

According to Department of Disease Control, there were 8,398 cases of dengue fever in Thailand form January 1- February 19 this year, or some 13.1 cases for every 100,000 people, which is four time higher than a normal level and the highest level in a decade. The death toll stood at 10, or 0.12 percent.

 

It expects that Thailand will record up to 120,000-150,000 cases of dengue fever this year. 80 percent of the patients will need to receive treatment in the hospital while two percent could go into shock. The death toll could reach 140-200; most of them would be studying age children and working age people.

 

Ministry of Labour is aware of the importance of working age people and the impact of dengue fever could have on people’s properties and the country’s economy. It is, therefore, supporting to make firms and factories larva free.  It has asked for cooperation from firms to instruct their personnel to eliminate larva in their factories and workers’ accommodation weekly, starting from March 15 until May 15.

 

It has asked firms to closely monitor dengue situation, particularly on June 15, which is the ASEAN Dengue Day and take their workers who are infected to hospitals. It has also asked firms to set up mosquito traps in their factories and workers’ accommodation.

 

Firms are also urged to use Thai indigenous knowledge to eliminate larva and prevent mosquito bites on people, covering the use of guppies, red lime, galangal, used engine oil, vinegar, sulphur, leech lime and salt. Furthermore, it has teached workers and operators how to make lemongrass oil, which has an ability to prevent mosquito bite and sell it to workers at cheap price.

Ministry of Labour, Ladies Association to organize Red Cross Fair to honor HM King

(18/03/2013)

Mrs. Jantanee Chayasriwong, President of Ladies Association, said the Red Cross Fair will be held under the theme of “United for Peace and People” for nine days from March 29-May 6, 2013 to mark the 120th anniversary of Thailand’s Red Cross Society. It is also to honor HM the King’s 85th birthday anniversary, HM the Queen’s 80th birthday anniversary and HRH Princess Sirindhon, who is the director of the Red Cross Society, the humanitarian origination which was found in 1893.

Many private and government organisations will also participate in this year’s Red Cross Fair. Ministry of Labour’s booth will be situated in Suapa Field near PTT petrol station and the exit of Ananta Samakhon Throne Hall.

Mrs. Jantanee said Ministry of Labour and the Ladies Association will hold various activities in this year’s Red Cross Fair to raise fund to the Red Cross Society, which include the sales of Red Cross lottery “Labour Lotto”. The association has printed 4,000 books of tickets, 10 for each book and they are already on sales at the price of 100 baht per ticket.

At the event, there will also be exhibitions to honor HM the King, HM the Queen and HRH Princess Sirindhon, presentation about Ministry of Labour’s missions and assistance measures for firms affected by the government’s 300 baht daily minimum wage policy and Bingo game.

Department of Employment and Department of Skill Development will also hold job demonstrations every day from 2 pm – 5pm, except for the first and final day. All the activities and prizes are sponsored by Ministry of Labour.

Ministry of Labour and its’ Ladies Association will jointly organise the 2013 Red Cross Fair to honor His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn. This year will mark the 120 anniversary of the establishment of Thailand’s Red Cross Society.

Bilateral Discussion of Thailand and the Philippines

(25/03/2013)

On 19 March 2013 in Hanoi, Vietnam, the Minister of Education, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, attended a bilateral discussion on educational cooperation with the Minister of Education of the Philippines H. E. Br. Armin A. Luistro Fsc.

The Minister of Education of the Philippines admired Thai education reform, especially the policy for issuing free mobile tablets for primary students which responds to future education management which emphasizes the use of more modern technology and computers. He also talked about the policy for reducing in-class learning and increasing the rate of general and vocational educations to 50:50.

Mr. Phongthep said that the mobile tablets given to Thai students aimed to facilitate faster access to information. However, tablets cannot completely replace textbooks. So, in the academic year 2013, textbooks and tablets will still be distributed to all primary students.

In terms of reducing in class learning, the Ministry of Education follows UNESCO's standard because, in developed countries, students spend more time researching outside classroom.

In addition, more Filipino teachers are coming to teach in Thailand and both countries are formulating an agreement for teacher exchange which is crucial for the ASEAN Community as those teachers are like educational ambassadors who create knowledge-sharing. It is expected that in April or May, 2013, both countries will sign an agreement on teacher exchange.

During the bilateral discussion, the Minister of Education from Thailand raised the issue of the upcoming ASEAN Community in which Thailand will provide teaching English and ASEAN languages to Thai students and the adjustment of the schedule for academic years to accommodate transfer of Thai students as well as categorizing student visas according to the type of courses the students will attend.

Cabinet Resolutions on Educational Affairs

(25/03/2013)

The Minister of Education, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, spoke about the Cabinet's resolutions on educational affairs on 19 March 2013. The two major issues were as follows:
Approval of a Framework for Cooperation concerning the Educational Partnership between the Thai and the New Zealand Governments

The Minister of Education said that the Cabinet had already approved the proposed framework of cooperation and, prior to the signing of this document, if any modifications were needed for less important contents, the Ministry of Education could discuss this with the Department of Treaties and Laws of the Foreign Affairs Ministry without proposing it again to the Cabinet.

Approval of Regulations on Annual Money Awards for the Fiscal Year 2011 for Public Offices, Provincial Offices and Universities

1. The Cabinet agreed that public officers should be categorized into three groups according to the amount of money to be awarded. The regulations are as follows:

- The first group consists of senior officers (lower and higher executives, lower and higher administrators and qualified and specialized academics) who will enjoy the payment rate of 1.00;

- The second group consists of the intermediate level public officers (skilled and special skilled academics) who will enjoy the payment rate of 1.25; and

- The third group consists of the lower level public officers (operational academics and general officers) who will enjoy the payment rate of 1.40.

2. The Cabinet also approved the proposed regulations and approaches of money award payment for the fiscal year of 2011 for the money awards of 2011.

OVEC Awards Honorary Certificates to Chinese Teachers

(25/03/2013)

The Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) recently organized a farewell ceremony for 90 Chinese teaching volunteers who completed one year teaching terms at 78 vocational colleges in Thailand and awarded them with honorary certificates.

The Deputy Secretary General of OVEC, Dr. Akanith Khlangsaeng, said that this event was held by the Ministry of Education and the Office of Promotion of Teaching and Learning Chinese as an International Language or HANBAN. Every year, the Chinese government will grant Chinese teachers scholarships for 10 month training and field trips abroad. Chinese teachers will play crucial roles in improving the skills and knowledge of the staff of OVEC in terms of teaching Chinese to Thai students . However, the number of Chinese volunteer teachers is not yet enough and teaching and learning materials are still greatly needed.

At present, many countries around the world enjoy modern economies with greater use of technology and modern knowledge. Therefore, Thailand has to improve various systems, including human resources development by building their capacity in terms of foreign languages. Chinese is a language widely used in current world communication. That is why Thai students and personnel in vocational education have to practice the language for the opening of the upcoming ASEAN Community.

Thailand and New Zealand Agree to Set a New Target of Doubling Trade by 2020

(24/03/2013)

Thailand and New Zealand have agreed to set a new target of doubling trade by 2020 to further advance their trading relationship. The agreement was reached when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra paid an official visit to New Zealand on 22-23 March 2013, which marks 57 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Thai-New Zealand bilateral relationship is underpinned by their Closer Economic Partnership (CEP), in force since 2005, strong people-to-people links, and their close cooperation in the region and internationally. In a joint statement between Prime Minister John Key of New Zealand and Prime Minister Yingluck, both leaders agreed that in order to achieve the new trade target, Thailand and New Zealand need to continue to develop the provisions of the CEP including on services, government procurement, and the special agricultural safeguards regime (SSG) - in particular the objective of completing a review of the SSG this year. Progress in these areas will help their CEP keep pace with trade arrangements around the region, and will drive further growth in their bilateral trade. Prime Minister Yingluck invited New Zealand investors to explore business opportunities in Thailand. She expressed appreciation for the recent announcement that Thailand would now be able to export salmon product to New Zealand, and also for New Zealand’s ongoing efforts to advance other Import Health Standards identified as of commercial interest to Thailand. According to the joint statement, the Joint Framework for Cooperation on the Education Partnership, issued on 22 March 2013 in Auckland, further strengthens the importance of people-to-people linkages and identifies new avenues for cooperation in the area of vocational training. Thailand noted its shortage of skilled vocational workers and welcomed the opportunity to develop new training and education capabilities in this area in cooperation with New Zealand. The two Prime Ministers also welcomed the joint work on qualifications recognition and the current project under the ASEAN Australia and New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) in this area. Prime Minister Yingluck expressed the Thai government’s appreciation for New Zealand assistance with English language capacity building in preparation for ASEAN Economic Community, including the provision of ASEAN scholarships for Thai teachers of English, the Advanced Oral Communications Course, and New Zealand teacher volunteers. Prime Minister Key acknowledged Thailand’s strategic location and leadership role in ASEAN and on issues of mutual interest in the region. He asserted New Zealand’s on-going commitment to support and engage actively with ASEAN, including through the East Asia Summit, the negotiations on a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and a potential 40th anniversary commemorative ASEAN-New Zealand Summit. Prime Minister Yingluck raised Thailand’s hosting of the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Chiang Mai during 19-20 May 2013 under the theme “Water Security: Leadership and Commitment, with special focus on Water Disaster Challenges”. Prime Minister Key congratulated Thailand on this initiative.

Stepping Up Campaigns for Energy Saving and Road Safety during Songkran Festival

(22/03/2013)

The Government is stepping up two major campaigns, one for energy saving and the other for road safety during the Songkran festival, the traditional Thai New Year. At a meeting of permanent secretaries of all ministries on 21 March 2013, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra thanked various ministries for their cooperation in cutting energy use by 15 percent. She urged the agencies working with the private sector to ask private companies to join the energy-saving campaign, as well. The campaign has been heightened following the scheduled disruption in natural gas supply from Myanmar from 5 to 14 April 2013. It is needed to cope with the peak electricity consumption period in Thailand. The Prime Minister has assigned the Ministry of Energy to work with the Ministry of Interior, which supervises the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and the Provincial Electricity Authority, in reducing energy consumption among the people. In related news, the Ministry of Culture will bring attire made from Thai fabric for Cabinet members to wear at the upcoming mobile Cabinet meeting in Chachoengsao province on 31 March 2013. Officials were urged to avoid wearing suits and jackets at work to save electricity used on air conditioning. Cabinet members have set an example by wearing Thai fabric at Cabinet meetings. The Ministry of Culture was assigned to come up with suitable designs for both casual attire and semi-casual attire. It will also organize an exhibition on Thai fabric at the mobile Cabinet meeting in Chachoengsao. The use of Thai fabric is part of the Government’s energy-saving campaign, since Thai fabric is suitable for climate in Thailand. It will also help preserve Thai culture and distribute wealth to local communities, which are producing areas for Thai fabric. As for the campaign for road safety, the Cabinet on 19 March 2013 acknowledged an integrated plan to prevent road accidents and promote road safety during the Songkran festival in April. Apart from the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports are also joining the campaign. The objective is to create a culture of road safety. The campaign began in March and will be intensified between 11 and 17 April 2013, the period of Songkran celebration. The campaign for road safety focuses on six measures, comprising management, law enforcement, social aspects, traffic engineering, public relations, and emergency medical and rescue services. Emphasis is placed on speed limit and controls on drunk-driving, alcohol consumption, and the use of motorcycles. Road accidents kill a large number of people in Thailand each year. Thailand has set the period from 2011 to 2020 as the “Decade for Road Safety” in order to reduce road accidents.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Visits New Zealand and Papua New Guinea

(21/03/2013)

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to pay an official visit to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from 21 to 25 March 2013, at the invitations of the Prime Ministers of both countries. Accompanying the Prime Minister will be Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, Energy Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal, Science and Technology Minister Woravat Auapinyakul, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, and a group of leading business people. On 22 March in New Zealand, Prime Minister Yingluck will deliver a keynote address at an investment forum, organized by the Board of Investment (BOI), and hold talks with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key. Both Thai and New Zealand leaders will witness the signing of a letter of intent on science, technology, and innovation. Representing Thailand in signing the document will be Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul. On 23 March, Auckland University of Technology will confer an honorary doctorate on Prime Minister Yingluck in recognition of her prominent role in the international arena. Trade between Thailand and New Zealand now stands at about 1.63 billion US dollars. The two countries signed the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement in April 2005. Thailand is also part of the ASEAN-Australia/New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force on 1 January 2010. More than 100,000 tourists from New Zealand visit Thailand each year. Prime Minister Yingluck will visit Papua New Guinea on 24-25 March. She will be the first Prime Minister of Thailand to visit this country. During the visit, she will hold talks with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and Papua New Guinea on the setting up of bilateral consultation mechanisms and a memorandum of understanding between the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Papua New Guinea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. On this occasion, Thailand will present preliminary food safety and disease test kits in order to support public health development in Papua New Guinea. It will also donate books and audiovisual items for the Thai corner at University of Papua New Guinea. The objective is to make Thailand better known in Papua New Guinea, which will help promote people-to-peeople connectivity. The Thai delegation will visit a liquefied natural gas project to explore investment opportunities in energy there. Papua New Guinea is Thailand’s largest trading partner in the South Pacific. Trade between the two countries in 2012 amounted to 359.96 million dollars. Thai investment in Papua New Guinea involves mainly food processing and energy development.