Prime Minister to Pay an Official Visit to Mongolia

(21/04/2013)

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will pay an official visit to Mongolia to strengthen bilateral relations and promote further cooperation between the two countries.

She will be the first Thai Prime Minister ever to visit Mongolia, scheduled for 27-30 April 2013.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister will deliver a keynote statement at the seventh Ministerial Meeting of the Community of Democracies in Ulaanbaatar on 29 April as the guest of honor of the President of Mongolia. She will focus on Thailand’s leading role in empowering people, particularly at the grassroots level, in order to strengthen sustainable democracy.

A report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Prime Minister will also touch on Thailand’s adherence to the rule of law and democracy, as well as their inter-linkage with sustainable development. Such inter-linkage should be acknowledged in the context of the United Nations and the post-2015 international development agenda. Thailand will continue to work with all partners to promote democratic development.

As an active member of the global community, Thailand is committed to promoting democracy and human rights, regardless of gender, age, physical ability or economic status. For Thailand, raising global awareness on the significance of empowering people, especially by eradicating inequality and promoting inclusiveness, is also vital in order to ensure sustainable democratic growth.

Thailand has placed importance on Education for Democracy as a key mechanism for inculcating lifelong awareness of citizenship and democratic values into the people. Apart from co-sponsoring the resolution on Education for Democracy at the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly and adhering to the core international human rights conventions regarding this issue, Thailand has domestically applied the student-centered approach to education in order to strengthen the development of students’ democratic awareness, behavior, attitudes and values in a way that is physically, intellectually, and morally balanced.

Concerning Thai-Mongolian relations, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited Mongolia in 2009. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Mongolia, Mr. Gombojav Zandanshatar, visited Thailand in late 2010.

Mongolia has also sent officials to learn more about Thailand’s development experience. It also hopes to become a dialogue partner of ASEAN in the future.

Both countries have close cooperation in combating human trafficking, SME development, ICT cooperation, and climate change. In recent years, Thai investors have taken a keen interest in investment in Mongolia in the areas of mining, hospitality, housing development, agro-industry, and infrastructure.

Thailand has stressed the need for both countries to strengthen people-to-people contact and increase the frequency of charter flights between them.

ASEAN Community 2015 is Top Priority at 22nd ASEAN Summit

(23-04-2013)

Brunei Darussalam is proud to chair ASEAN this year, and the country is all geared up to welcome delegates and media. First off the starters block will be the 22nd ASEAN Summit, which starts tomorrow (24 April). Visitors to the Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of the Sultanate, are immediately greeted by flags, banners, and posters. Pick up a copy of the local newspaper, and you are immediately reminded of the Summit.

"As we approach the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015, all ASEAN Member States are aware of the need to deliver the objectives which we set for ourselves," said ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh. "Our ability to meet the objectives will have far-reaching effect for ASEAN beyond 2015."

According to the World Bank, ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific is expected to grow by 7.9 percent this year, and 7.6 percent in 2014. This makes the region one of the fastest growing areas in the world.

Wednesday and Thursday's meetings are expected to set the agenda for the following ASEAN Meetings this year, leading to the 23rd ASEAN Summit in October. Leaders from the 10 member states are also expected to discuss topics such as ASEAN’s Central Role and the Regional Architecture, ASEAN’s Future Direction, and Exchange of Views on Regional and International Issues.

Australia Committed to ASEAN, Appointing a Resident Ambassador to ASEAN this year

(22-04-2013)

H.E.  Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of ASEAN expressed appreciation for Australia’s strong commitment to deepen and enhance its cooperation with ASEAN to H.E.  Peter Varghese, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia during their recent meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat.

SG Minh also recognized Australia’s support to ASEAN’s central role in regional cooperation as well as ASEAN’s Community building efforts. The Secretary-General further briefed Secretary Varghese on the recent developments in ASEAN.

Secretary Varghese said Australia placed high priority on ASEAN in its policy towards the region, especially in maintaining peace and stability. Mr. Varghese reaffirmed that Australia will appoint its resident Ambassador to ASEAN by the end of 2013. He also presented a letter from H.E. Bob Carr, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, inviting SG Minh to visit Australia this year.

SG Minh and Secretary Varghese further exchanged views on regional and international issues.

ASEAN and ROK Determine Future Directions

(22-04-2013)

The 15th ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Planning and Review Committee (JPRC) Meeting was held recently at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. The Meeting highlighted several important areas to further strengthen cooperation, including expediting cooperation in political security and ASEAN Connectivity.

The Meeting reviewed the ASEAN-ROK cooperation for the past year, in particular the progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action (2011-2015), and exchanged views on the future direction of the ASEAN-ROK relations. The Meeting also discussed the follow-up to the initiatives and outcomes of the 15th ASEAN-ROK Summit, which was held in November 2012 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Both sides underscored the need to ensure that all follow-up actions are undertaken in a timely manner.

The Meeting adopted the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the ASEAN-ROK Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) and the ASEAN-ROK JCC Working Group. With the adoption of the TOR, the JPRC and the JPRC Working Group nomenclature will be replaced by the ASEAN-ROK JCC and ASEAN-ROK JCC Working Group, respectively, from 2014 onwards. The Meeting also noted the proposal of the ROK to convene the ASEAN-Korea Special Summit in December 2014 in ROK to commemorate the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-ROK dialogue relations.

The Meeting was co-chaired by H.E. I Gede Ngurah Swajaya, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Indonesia to ASEAN and H.E. Baek Seong-taek, Ambassador of the ROK to ASEAN in Jakarta. The Permanent Representatives of ASEAN Member States to ASEAN and their representatives, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ROK, Mission of the ROK to ASEAN, and the ASEAN Secretariat attended the Meeting.

ASEAN Supports CLMV, Welcomes Attachment Officers to Build Capacity Ahead of Regional Integration

(22-04-2013)

An innovative CLMV Attachment Officers Programme, a project-oriented learning opportunity for officers from ministries of the governments of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam (CLMV) to gain experience on regional cooperation under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprints commenced at the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC).

“We very much welcome the additional CLMV officers to ASEC. The topics that ASEAN is now engaged with in the economic and socio-cultural spheres require the officers to understand and appreciate the regional perspective,” says H.E. Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of ASEAN during his recent meeting with the officers. “That will be their main education and contribution to ASEAN,” he added.

Eight Officers from the CLMV will be assigned in various AEC and ASCC departments and divisions to partake in programmes and areas of cooperation. Officers will receive hands-on assignment based on ASEC’s current operational needs and work collaboratively with ASEC staff to gain a deeper understanding of regional issues while contributing to its daily work. The Officers will also become familiarized with the work, activities, and procedures pertaining to ASEC, including preparing and organizing meetings and conferences under the ASEAN framework. In the process, the Officers are able to form themselves as a network of CLMV professionals, bonded by a common experience and compassion toward achieving ASEAN goals.

After the year-long attachment programme, the competency, capacity, and confidence of the participating Officers in managing AEC and ASCC-related matters of their home countries are expected to be enhanced. The programme is also expected to deepen the participants’ understanding and knowledge about ASEAN’s strategic partnership with dialogue partners, especially with Japan.

“This programme will help the CLMV narrow the development gap with ASEAN-6 and thus contribute to the efforts of ASEAN to building the ASEAN Community by 2015. Please take this opportunity to learn what is happening on the ground,” says H.E. Kimihiro Ishikane, Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN last week when he met the officers.

The Attachment of Officers from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam for AEC and ASCC Involvement at the ASEAN Secretariat is a new initiative of the Government of Japan supported through the Japan ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

Ambassador delivered opening remarks at the Seminar on “Chile-Thailand FTA: Opportunities for Chilean Companies”

(24-04-2013)

On 22 April 2013, H.E. Mr. Surapon Petch-vra, Thai ambassador to Chile, delivered opening remarks at the Seminar on “Chile-Thailand FTA: Opportunities for Chilean  Companies,” organized by the Santiago Chamber of Commerce. 

The seminar aimed to promote bilateral trade between the two countries and to create awareness of the conclusion of Chile-Thailand FTA as well as to encourage the Chilean business community to make use of the agreement once it enters into force. 

The speakers in the seminar included Mr. Diego Torres, member of the Chile’s FTA negotiation team and Mr. Jaime Rivera, Director of ProChile in Bangkok.

Ambassador of Thailand to the United States, visited the State of Utah upon the invitation of Brigham Young University (BYU)

(23-04-2013)

On 4-6 April 2013, Dr. Chaiyong Satjipanon, Ambassador of Thailand to the United States, visited the State of Utah upon the invitation of Brigham Young University (BYU).  During the visit, the Ambassador met with Mr. Gary R. Herbert, Governor of Utah, to discuss how to further enhance the relationship between Thailand and the State of Utah.  He also gave lectures on “Thailand in Perspective” at BYU and the University of Utah, as well as observed a rehearsal of the BYU cultural Young Ambassadors.  In addition, the Ambassador delivered a speech about Thailand’s economic and trade potentials at the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce

Teachers in South should be Developed and Encouraged: Panida

(23-04-2013)

The Permanent Secretary of Education Mrs. Panida Kamphu Na Ayutthaya gave a talk at a seminar of Thai private school administrators on how to give help to teachers working in the southern borders of Thailand. She said that the Ministry of Education was working with the Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC) on ways to care for, promote and develop teachers in the south. On 28 March, part of a financial donation was given to them, and, on 10 April, the remainder will be given again to 160 families of teachers who had been affected by southern unrest and had to quit teaching immediately. Eight teachers were given 100,000 baht each and 160 families were given 100,000 baht each, too. The Ministry of Education has provided a total of 160,800,000 baht financial support to all teachers and their families. The rest of the money will be transferred to local offices of the Ministry in 12 provinces in southern Thailand for emergency use.

In terms of financial support for Islamic teachers, especially Po Noh and Tadeeka teachers, the Ministry of Education will be responsible for Po Noh teachers while Tadeeka will be transferred from the Interior Ministry at a later date. Furthermore, the Ministry of Education is now proposing an increase of remuneration for teachers in the south from 2,500 Baht to 3,500 Baht in the next fiscal year. This remuneration is a part of an educational development effort to encourage teachers in the south to keep teaching in the area.

26 New ASEAN Educational Centers Open

(22-04-2013)

The Minister of the Office of the Prime Minister, Ms. Sansanee Nakphong, the Deputy Minister of Education, Mr. Sermsak Pongpanit, the Assistant to the Education Minister, Dr. Phuangphet Chunlaiad, the Inspector General of Education, Mrs. Ongjit Methayaprapas, the Deputy Secretary General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), Dr. Benjalak Namfah, the Secretary General of Office of Non Formal and Informal Education, Mr. Prasert Bunreung and administrators of non formal education centers attended the opening of new ASEAN Educational Centers, a project for building the foreign language capabilities of women and the presentation of signboards for the ASEAN Educational Centers to eleven schools under the supervision of OBEC and local ONFIE offices in 15 provinces on 10 April 2013.

According to Mr. Sermsak, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, he was pleased to see education playing a key role in human development, especially regarding the capacity building of Thai women. The Ministry has two main projects towards the ASEAN Community: educational development and the establishment of Thailand as an international education hub.

OBEC is also preparing schools and students for the ASEAN Community by improving the teaching of English and ASEAN languages as well as upgrading the curriculum to international standards. ONFIE is also preparing language courses for Thai people and, especially, Thai women.

Ms. Sansanee, congratulating the opening of the new ASEAN Educational Centers, talked about the policy of the Prime Minister, Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, to fund the development of Thai women with the aims of supporting female power for national improvement and solving the problem of human rights violations against women.
   Dr. Phuangphet, representing the Minister of Education to chair the committee on mobilizing the Ministry of Education towards the ASEAN Community, said that the role of the Ministry was to provide Thai people with knowledge of ASEAN languages. The Thai Woman Empowerment Project is also important for improving the professional and language skills of Thai women and it shows the progress that the Ministry of Education is making in promoting the role of women.

The 26 ASEAN Educational Centers are under cooperation of OBEC and ONFIE with the aim of improving the language abilities of Thai women, particularly in Chinese and English. However, other ASEAN languages will be taught depending on the geographical position of each region of Thailand. For example, Burmese will be taught in the north, Lao in the northeast and Malay in the south.

The emphasis of the language training is to allow Thai women to know foreign languages so that they can communicate and work with people from foreign or neighboring countries. It will be initiated during this year and, in 2014, ONFIE will expand the centers to 1,000 areas and OBEC to 225 areas.

Dr. Benjalak added that the ASEAN Educational Centers would also teach the cultures and traditions of all ASEAN countries so that Thai people will know how to behave with other ASEAN people. This is because all ASEAN people are expected to know about their shared identities, their cultural diversity and their connection with the world.

The ASEAN Educational Centers will provide curricula that students of all ASEAN countries will use. In 2014, OBEC will enforce the curricula in public and private schools because it is responsible for taking care of primary and secondary schools in the country. The curricula will be downloadable from OBEC's website so that schools can adjust it to fit their specific contexts.

Songkran Celebration at MOE

(22-04-2013)

On 9 April 2013, the Minister of Education, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, along with the Deputy Minister, Mr. Sermsak Pongpanit, the Assistants to the Minister, Mr. Suwat Tantipat and Dr. Phuangphet Chunlaiad and the Assistant to the Minister's Secretary, Mr. Worakorn Khamsingnok, joined a ceremony to celebrate Songkran organized by the Ministry of Education.

The Minister of Education said that he was glad to celebrate the traditional Thai New Year with all ministerial staff because they were a strong force in strengthening the work of the Ministry. He believes that the next generations of Thai people will be much stronger and better able to develop the country as the more intelligent Thai children are, the better the country will become.

On this occasion, the Minister thanked all senior staff of the Ministry whose contributions were invaluable to the development of Thailand. Also, the former Deputy Minister of Education, Mr. Somchai Wutthipreecha, was invited to give his best wishes to all the staff of the Ministry.

Finally, the Minister of Education bathed a Buddha image, poured water on the hands of the senior staff to ask for their best wishes and gave them souvenirs.

Chinnapat Attends Buddhist Prayers

(22-04-2013)

The Secretary General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), Dr. Chinnapat Bhumirat, chaired a Buddhist morning-prayer and meditation session to promote effective levels of performance and to boost the ethics and morality of OBEC staff. This activity took place in response to the government's policy concerning the key performance of working transparently to enable public officers to work effectively. In addition to Dr. Chinnapat, senior officers and staff from OBEC also attended the activity at the Bangkok headquarters of OBEC on 18 April 2013.

Ministry of Labour plans to work with Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation to campaign against alcoholism in workplaces. It initially targets to create 40 alcohol-free workplaces

(23-04-2013)

Mr. Anusorn Kraiwatnussorn, Vice Minister of Labour, said after receiving an open letter from Mr. Chadej Chaowilia, Director of Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation along with a group of employers and labour unions, calling for Ministry of Labour to press ahead with alcohol-free workplaces policies to improve quality of lives of workers, that his ministry is ready to work with the foundation in campaign and public relations work to inform companies about the ban on alcohol sales in factory and prevent alcoholism in workplaces.

Mr. Anusorn said Ministry of Labour has also assigned Department of Labour Protection and Welfare to work with the foundation in working out a project to help workplaces achieve alcohol-free status. The project might be named “alcohol-free workplaces”.

A network of 20 drug-free workplaces is campaigning against alcohol sales to workers in workplaces to improve their quality of lives and reduce violence in family.

According to foundation data, the rate of alcohol consumption among female workers rose 68.4 percent early this year. Two in three female workers drank alcohol three times a week. 43.8 percent of them got drunk. Many of them went into debt. 93.2 percent of the workers were found to have spent their income on alcohol, gambling, cigarette and lotto.

International Court of Justice Urged to Dismiss Cambodia’s Request for Interpretation of the 1962 Judgment

(20/04/2013)

Thailand has urged the International Court of Justice to dismiss Cambodia’s request for interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the Case Concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear.

On 19 April 2013, the final day of the Court’s public hearings on Preah Vihear (Phra Viharn), Thailand’s Agent, Mr. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador to the Netherlands, and the country’s foreign legal counsels and experts delivered statements, rejecting Cambodia's use of the Annex I map to mark the two countries' border surrounding the temple.

Mr. Virachai asked the Court to consider the case inadmissible because it does not fall under the Court's jurisdiction. However, if the Court finds Cambodia’s request admissible, it should decide that there is no reason to interpret the 1962 Judgment, as the Judgment is clear and Thailand has fulfilled all legal obligations prescribed by the Court in the original case.

After the conclusion of the public hearings, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, commended the Thai team and the country’s foreign legal counsels and experts for their well-prepared presentation, with complete documents and evidence. He also thanked all relevant officials for their hard work concerning the case during the past three years.

Upon returning to Thailand from The Haque, the Thai delegation attending the public hearings will report the issue to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The International Court of Justice will take about five to six months before pronouncing its verdict in the case concerning Cambodia’s request for interpretation of the 1962 judgment on the Temple of Preah Vihear.

Thailand’s Presentation of Arguments and Evidence Concerning Phra Viharn Is Satisfactory

(19/04/2013)

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, has expressed his satisfaction with Thailand’s presentation of arguments and evidence in the public hearings concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear (Phra Viharn).

He referred to Thailand’s oral pleadings on 17 April 2013 at the International Court of Justice, saying that the pleadings resulted from the hard work undertaken by the legal team during the past few years.

On 18 April 2013 after the second round of Cambodia’s pleadings, Mr. Surapong said that Cambodia tried to convince the Court to accept its request for interpretation of the 1962 Judgment by arguing Thailand and Cambodia disagree about the scope and meaning of the Judgment, in particular with regard to the Temple’s “vicinity” and the withdrawal of forces from Cambodia’s “territory.” Cambodia posited that it never accepted Thailand’s determination of the limit of the Temple’s vicinity or the barbed-wire fence set up according to the Thai Cabinet’s Resolution in 1962.

Cambodia underscored the status and significance of the “Annex I map” in the 1962 Judgment by claiming that the Court recognized and based its decision on the frontier line on that map.

Earlier on 17 April 2013, Thailand showed the Court that the 1962 Judgment is clear and that Thailand already implemented the obligations contained therein. It countered with solid evidence against Cambodia’s claim that the Court recognized the line in the “Annex I map” as boundary to determine the Temple’s vicinity and maintained that Cambodia had never disputed the Thai Cabinet’s line in effect approximates the Temple’s vicinity.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong added that the Thai legal team and the foreign counsel and experts would hold consultations to prepare Thailand’s oral pleadings to the Court on 19 April 2013. He believes there is substantial information and strong evidence to rebut Cambodia’s counter-arguments.

Thailand’s oral pleadings on the final day of the hearings will adhere to the same position and aim to make the Court realize Cambodia’s true intention, which is not to request the Court for an interpretation of the Judgment, but rather to ask the Court for what the Court expressly rejected over 50 years ago.

Thailand to Present Additional Evidence in Its Second Round of Arguments on Phra Viharn

(19/04/2013)

The Thai legal team will present additional evidence at the International Court of Justice to defend Thailand's position in the second round of arguments concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear.

The second round of arguments will be presented on 19 April 2013, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Thai local time). It will be broadcast live on NBT (Television of Thailand Channel 11), Radio Thailand (FM 92.5 and AM 891), and the website www.phraviharn.org.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Thailand believes that its oral arguments could comprehensively and convincingly rebut Cambodia’s pleadings.

Thailand’s foreign legal counsel and experts successfully emphasized the country’s arguments to convince the Court that Cambodia’s request for interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the Case Concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear is in fact a disguised appeal, asking the Court to adjudicate that the Thai-Cambodian boundary line in the disputed area must follow the “Annex I Map” line, a submission which the Court had expressly rejected in the 1962 Judgment.

Moreover, the legal counsel and experts underscored that there is indeed no dispute with regard to the scope and meaning of the 1962 Judgment and that Thailand has fulfilled all legal obligations prescribed by the Court in the original case.

In fact, Cambodia has officially accepted Thailand’s implementation of the Judgment on several occasions. The recent conflict is a boundary dispute which both Parties should settle through their Joint Border Committee (JBC).

Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, a member of the Court, asked both Thailand and Cambodia to indicate the precise territorial extent that each of the Parties considers to be the “vicinity” of the Temple. Each party should answer the question by providing a set of geographical coordinates or by referring to one of the maps which were produced before the Court in the original proceedings.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister, Mr. Pongthep Thepkanjana, said that Thailand was not worried about Judge Yusuf’s request because its position had always been clear.

The Ambassador to The Hague and Thailand’s Agent, Mr. Virachai Plasai, said that Judge Yusuf’s question to the Parties was not on behalf of the Court. He noted that it was quite common in international dispute settlement bodies for judges to request additional information from the parties. While waiting for the question to be submitted in writing through the Court’s Registrar, the legal team would hold consultations to prepare Thailand’s response.

Cambodia, in its second round of arguments on 18 April 2013, stressed that it did not accept the Thai Cabinet's resolution in 1962 to unilaterally define the temple boundary. Cambodia also reaffirmed the “Annex I Map” line and the country's request for the International Court of Justice to interpret its 1962 judgment.

231st Anniversary of the Rattanakosin Period

(19/04/2013)

The year 2013 marks the 231st anniversary of the Rattanakosin, or Bangkok, period. The Ministry of Culture is joining hands with various agencies in organizing the celebration of Rattanakosin.

The event, called “Culture-led Thailand,” takes place between 20 and 22 April, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., around the Rattanakosin Island, which is well-known as part of Bangkok’s heritage.

According to Culture Minister Sontaya Kunplome, activities during this event include a food fair, khon masked drama, lakhon dance drama, demonstrations of 10 traditional crafts, or chang sip mu, and a traditional old market. Major temples around the area, such as Wat Chana Songkhram, Wat Bovornives, Wat Maha That, and Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho) welcome all visitors to listen to sermons and pay homage to Buddha images.

Sightseeing tours will be arranged from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to various sites, such as the National Museum, the City Pillar Shrine, Museum Siam, Tha Tian, and Nakhara Phirom Park. A special religious ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, 21 April, at the City Pillar Shrine, in commemoration of the day when the Rattanakosin Kingdom was established.

The history of Rattanakosin dates back to the year 1782, when King Rama I, or Phraphutthayotfa Chulalok the Great, established Bangkok as the capital.

The first king of the Royal House of Chakri, King Rama I built the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha complex, which is now a major landmark of Bangkok and one of the country’s important tourist attractions.

He was born during the Ayutthaya period. Following the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767, Thai people moved south to Thon Buri to regroup and restore their kingdom. King Rama I at that time was appointed a field commander of King Taksin the Great of the Thon Buri Kingdom.

After the death of King Taksin, he ascended the throne on 6 April 1782, when he was 46 years old. He started to establish Rattanakosin, or Bangkok, as the royal capital. Realizing that Thon Buri, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, would always be threatened by enemy attacks, he moved the capital from Thon Buri to Bangkok on the east side. The establishment of the new capital was the starting point of the history of Rattanakosin.

Bangkok abounds in cultural and historical sites reflecting the country’s long history and unique culture. Besides touring historical and cultural sites, tourists can also spend an enjoyable time walking around the Rattanakosin Island, the heart of the original city. Foreign visitors and the Thai people can also admire the distinctive beauty of Thai culture and learn about its great history at various places in this city, which has been voted as the best tourism city in Asia for several consecutive years.

Thailand Rebuts Cambodia’s Arguments on Phra Viharn

(18/04/2013)

Thailand’s Agent, Mr. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador to the Netherlands, and the country’s foreign legal counsels and experts have delivered statements arguing Thailand’s position and responding to Cambodia’s arguments at the International Court of Justice’s public hearings on Phra Viharn.

The statements were made on 17 April 2013 at the first round of Thailand’s presentation of oral arguments to the International Court of Justice on the Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the Case Concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thailand).

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, briefed the press on the main points in Thailand’s oral arguments as follows:

1. Cambodia’s request for interpretation of the 1962 Judgment is in fact a disguised appeal for the Court to rule on what it expressly refused to over 50 years ago.

2. The territorial claim over an area of 4.6 sq km is new and arose from Cambodia’s wish to inscribe the Temple on the World Heritage List.

3. The current disputed area of 4.6 sq km is not the “vicinity” of the Temple referred to in the Judgment, but is far larger than the area that Cambodia claimed in the original case, which was only 0.35 sq km.

4. The line adopted by Thailand’s Council of Ministers in 1962 marks an area that corresponds to the “vicinity” of the Temple in the 1962 Judgment. Cambodia understood and accepted this as it never protested that Thailand had not withdrawn its forces from that area.

5. Thailand’s cartographic experts demonstrated irregularities in the evidence that Cambodia introduced to the Court. For instance, the “Annex I map” that Cambodia offered as evidence in the original case is different from what it is now presenting to the Court. There exist different versions of this map, the lines on which cannot be transposed to the actual topography without causing further problems. Cambodia even altered the map Thailand presented in the original case and submitted as its own evidence in the present case.

6. Thailand has fully implemented the Provisional Measures ordered by the Court on 18 July 2011. Since then, there have been no further armed incidents in the border area, and no further loss of life. Thailand and Cambodia have even worked together and agreed on ways to implement the Measures. In addition, both countries now enjoy cordial relations. There are mechanisms and channels in place to resolve conflicts, including the territorial dispute that Cambodia is requesting the Court to settle which can be negotiated bilaterally through the MoU on the Survey of Demarcation of Land Boundary agreed and signed in 2000.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also commented that what Thailand argued in the Court on 17 April 2013 closely follows the approach prepared in advance, which is to request the Court to dismiss Cambodia’s request for interpretation of the 1962 Judgment. But if the Court finds Cambodia’s request admissible, it should decide that there is no reason to interpret the Judgment, as the Judgment is clear and Thailand has already implemented all the obligations contained therein.

Government’s Earnings in the First Half of the 2013 Fiscal Year

(18/04/2013)

The Government’s earnings from tax collection in the first half of the 2013 fiscal year amounted to 978.8 billion baht, an increase of 18.7 percent over the same period of the 2012 fiscal year.

Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office Somchai Sujjapongse said that tax collection from October 2012 to March 2013, also exceeded the set target by almost 94.86 billion baht, or 10.7 percent.

During the six-month period, the Revenue Department earned 702.6 billion baht. The earnings that were higher than the set target came from personal income tax, value added tax, and corporate tax.

The Excise Department was able to collect 231 billion baht, a rise of 28.9 percent over the same period of the 2012 fiscal year. Collection of automobile tax represented a significant increase of 102 percent, as a result of the Government’s first-car buyer program, under which car buyers would be refunded the actual amount of tax they had paid.

The Customs Department was able to collect 58.66 billion baht, an increase of 1.3 percent. Top earnings came from five major items: automobiles and auto parts, machinery and parts, electrical appliances and components, iron and steel, and iron and steel products.

During the first half of the current fiscal year, state enterprises remitted a total of 50.76 billion baht in revenue to the Government. The amount represented a decline of 11 percent, when compared to the same period of the 2012 fiscal year, but was higher than the set target by 12.8 percent.

The Fiscal Policy Office expects that Thailand’s GDP in 2013 will grow by 5.3 percent, an increase from the 5 percent predicted earlier. Increased private sector consumption and investment are likely to contribute to the 2013 economic growth. Public sector investment is expected grow by 14 percent. The Government’s investment of 350 billion baht under its long-term water resource management and flood prevention plan would be a supporting factor to spur the economy.

Thai exports are expected to grow by 9 percent. The recovery of the world economy in 2013 would help boost Thai exports. Inflation in 2013 is likely to remain at 3 percent. The unemployment rate is likely to be at a low level. Even so, Thailand needs to monitor risk factors closely, including the fluctuation of the baht and the economic situation of its major trading partners.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the Public Debt Management Office Chularat Suteethorn revealed that Thailand’s outstanding public debt as of February 2013 amounted to more than five trillion baht, accounting for 44.05 percent of GDP.

Out of this amount, 341.78 billion baht was external debt, accounting for 6.74 percent. Domestic debt amounted to 4.7 trillion baht, accounting for 93.26 percent of the total public debt.

Thailand’s Legal Team Readies Response to Cambodia’s Arguments over Phra Viharn

(17/04/2013)

Thailand has prepared solid and convincing evidence in response to Cambodia’s arguments in the case concerning the Temple of Phra Viharn (Preah Vihear).

The legal team from Thailand, led by the Thai Ambassador to The Hague, Mr. Virachai Plasai, is scheduled to give the first round of oral arguments to the International Court of Justice on 17 April 2013, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. (Thai local time).

Cambodia on 15 April 2013 presented its counter-arguments to Thailand’s Further Written Explanations submitted to the Court in 2012. It argued that, in requesting the Court to interpret the 1962 judgment concerning the temple, Cambodia had no intention of appealing or altering the judgment, but only asked the Court to define the terms “territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia” and the temple’s “vicinity” contained therein.

Cambodia attempted to show that Cambodia and Thailand interpret the judgment differently and that the “Annex I Map” is inseparable from the operative parts of the judgment, therefore satisfying the conditions for interpretation, and such interpretation would not be possible without referring to the map. It also argued that the Court had already recognized that the lines on the map constitute the frontier between Cambodia and Thailand.

In his opening statement, Mr. Hor Namhong, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, as the country’s Agent, argued that different interpretations of the scope and meaning of the 1962 judgment and Thailand’s failure to fulfill the obligations contained therein led to the armed aggression along the Thai-Cambodian border during the previous Thai government. This compelled Cambodia to request the Court to elucidate the 1962 judgment. Cambodia’s foreign legal counsels and experts then took turns presenting counter-arguments to the reasoning and evidence in Thailand’s Written Explanations submitted to the Court in 2012.

Speaking at a press briefing, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, said that Cambodia’s oral arguments followed directly from its written submissions to the Court, and that Thailand is ready to present its counter-arguments, especially on the implementation of the judgment.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, said that Cambodia was trying to convince the Court that Thailand’s implementation of the judgment was based on its unilateral understanding of the judgment, in particular the putting up of a barbed-wire fence, following the line set out in the Thai Cabinet’s resolution of 10 July 1962, which Cambodia found unacceptable.

The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Krairawee Sirikul, said that Cambodia has no right to appeal the earlier Court ruling and that Thailand has completely abided by the Court’s verdict. He added that the Court ruling in 1962 stated that the Temple of Phra Viharn is on Cambodian soil, without mentioning the border demarcation.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has urged the Thai people to monitor the oral hearings at the Court with a calm attitude, saying that the legal team from Thailand would work with its full ability to defend the case.

The hearings will be broadcast live on NBT (Television of Thailand Channel 11), Radio Thailand (FM 92.5 and AM 891), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Radio Saranrom (AM 1575), the website www.phraviharn.org, the International Court of Justice’s website www.icj-cij.org/homepage, and the United Nations Webcast: webtv.un.org.

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.