Policy Statement
of the Council of Ministers
Delivered by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to the National Assembly
Tuesday 23 August B.E. 2554 (2011)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Announcement on the Appointment of the Prime Minister Announcement on the Appointment of Ministers Policy Statement of the Government of | I II 1 |
Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister, to the National Assembly on Tuesday 23 August B.E. 2554 (2011) | |
1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented in the First Year | 4 |
2. Policy on National Security | 9 |
3. Policy on Economic | 10 |
4. Policy on Social and Quality of Life | 21 |
5. Policy on Land, Natural Resources and the Environment | 27 |
6. Policy on Science, Technology, Research and Innovation | 29 |
7. Policy on Foreign Affairs and International Economic | 30 |
8. Policy on Good Governance | 31 |
Annex | 36 |
Cabinet’s Administration Policy Topics in accordance with | |
the Directive Principles of Fundamental State Policies in | |
Chapter 5 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand | |
Announcement on the Appointment of the Prime Minister
Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rex
Phrabat Somdet Phra Paramintharamaha Bhumibol Adulyadej has graciously given a Royal Command for the announcement to be made that:
Following the election of the members of the House of Representatives and the termination of office of the Council of Ministers in accordance with the Constitution, the Speaker of the House of Representatives has humbly informed His Majesty that the House of Representatives has passed a resolution on 5 August B.E. 2554 (2011) approving the appointment of Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra as Prime Minister with a majority of votes from the total number of existing members of the House of Representatives;
His Majesty is, therefore, of the view that Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra is one in whom His Majesty may repose his trust to serve as Prime Minister.
On the authority of Section 171 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, His Majesty therefore graciously appoints Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra as Prime Minister to administer state affairs forthwith.
Announced on 5 August B.E. 2554 (2011),
th
Being the 66
year of the present Reign.
Countersigned by
Mr. Somsak Kiatsuranont
Speaker of the House of Representatives
I
Announcement on the Appointment of Ministers
Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rex
Phrabat Somdet Phra Paramintharamaha Bhumibol Adulyadej has graciously given a Royal Command for the announcement to be made that, in accordance with the Royal Command dated 5 August B.E. 2554 (2011) appointing Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra as Prime Minister;
Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister, has now selected those persons deserving to assume positions as Ministers to administer state affairs;
On the authority of Section 171 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, His Majesty therefore graciously appoints the following Ministers:
Mr. Yongyoot Wichaidit Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
Police Captain Chalerm Ubumrung Deputy Prime Minister Police General Kowit Wattana Deputy Prime Minister
Mr. Kittiratt Na-Ranong Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce
Mr. Chumpol Silapa-archa Deputy Minister and Minister of Tourism and Sports
Mr. Surawit Khonsomboon Minister Attached to
the Prime Minister’s Office
Miss Kitsana Seehalak Minister Attached to
the Prime Minister’s Office
General Yuthasak Sasiprapha Minister of Defence Mr. Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala Minister of Finance
Mr. Boonsong Teriyapirom Deputy Minister of Finance
Mr. Viroon Tejapaibul Deputy Minister of Finance
II
Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Santi Promphat Minister of Social Development and Human Security
Mr. Theera Wongsamut Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Mr. Pornsak Jarernprasert Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat Minister of Transport Police Lieutenant General Chatt Kuldiloke Deputy Minister of Transport
Mr. Kittisakdi Hathasongkorh Deputy Minister of Transport
Mr. Preecha Rengsomboonsuk Minister of Natural Resources and Environment
Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap Minister of Information and
Communication Technology
Mr. Pichai Naripthaphan Minister of Energy
Mr. Poom Sarapol Deputy Minister of Commerce
Mr. Siriwat Kajornprasart Deputy Minister of Commerce
Mr. Chuchard Hansward Deputy Minister of Interior
Mr. Tarnis Thienthong Deputy Minister of Interior
Police General Pracha Promnog Minister of Justice
Mr. Phadermchai Sasomsub Minister of Labour
Mrs.Sukamol Kunplome Minister of Culture
Mr. Plodprasop Suraswadi Minister of Science and Technology
Mr. Woravat Auapinyakul Minister of Education
Mrs. Bunruen Srithares Deputy Minister of Education Mr. Surapong Eungampornwilai Deputy Minister of Education Mr. Wittaya Buranasiri Minister of Health
Mr. Torphong Chaiyasan Deputy Minister of Health
Mr. Wannarat Channukul Minister of Industry To take effect forthwith.
Announced on 9 August B.E. 2554 (2011), Being the 66th year of the present Reign.
Countersigned by
Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra Prime Minister
Policy Statement of the Government of
Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister, to the National Assembly
Tuesday 23 August B.E. 2554 (2011)
Honorable President of the National Assembly,
Pursuant to the Royal Command dated 8 August 2011 appointing me as Prime Minister and the Royal Command dated 9 August 2011 appointing the Council of Ministers, the Council of Ministers has now completed the formulation of its policy on the administration of state affairs – in adherence to the system of parliamentary democracy with the King as Head of State and encompassing the fundamental policy approach stipulated in Chapter 5 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand. The Cabinet therefore wishes to present the aforementioned policy to this joint session of the National Assembly to apprise the latter of the intention, strategy and policy of the government, which is determined to foster harmony and pursue reconciliation in Thai society, enabling cooperation which will lead to economic, social and political development of the country for the benefit of all Thais.
Mr. President,
Thailand is an honorable and dignified country which possesses a long- standing wisdom. Our ability to overcome problems and obstacles during any difficult time is made possible by this wisdom, together with our adherence to cultural values, which accord respect to the monarchy, our nation’s most revered institution, as well as foster strong family and community values, love of freedom and justice. These values always see us through challenging times, making our country stand out in the international arena.
Our inherited social and cultural capital from the past is an important factor in providing Thailand with immunity and an ability to handle changes in the world, and unfailingly brings peace and progress to our country.
However, as Thailand is now faced with fast-changing economic and social conditions, ideas and frameworks about administration of state affairs cannot remain unchanged. In this light, new ideas are necessary in order to complement our existing capital. All sectors of society should combine forces to bring about the betterment of our country.
Significant changes in the conditions of the global economy have led Thailand to enter into a structural transition which encompasses three important aspects.
- Economic transition - The Thai economy has experienced high volatility and has been unable to overcome the crisis in a sustainable manner for the following main reasons:
1.1 The world economy today is highly uncertain and is in the process of transition from the current economic and political pole in the West towards a new and long-term center in Asia. The United States is still experiencing high unemployment while its financial institutions, households and the government remain weak due to exceedingly high debt. European economies also face fiscal problems, and many of them, such as Greece, Spain and Italy, are at risk of plunging into economic crisis. The burden of supporting the economies of European Union member states has also caused uncertainty in holding various forms of assets, both in US Dollars and others. At the same time, China and India have shown increasing potential in expanding their economies, with their middle-class enjoying much higher purchasing power. China’s emerging role as an economic superpower has expanded into various regions of the world, moving from being the world’s factory to the management level, effectively holding assets and global energy resources
1.2 The structure of the Thai economy still relies heavily on exports and foreign investment, making it highly vulnerable to the uncertainty of the world economy. Furthermore, our production and use of national resources do not generate sufficient returns, as seen from the decrease in the proportion of our reliance on domestic demand from 74.8% in 2009 to 67.5% in 2010, causing our economy to contract during the world economic crisis (as seen by a fall of 2.3% in 2009) and to expand when the world economy recovers (as seen by an increase of 7.8% in 2010). This pattern occurs repeatedly. The aforementioned expansion of the Thai economy was due to the growth of the export sector by as high as 28.5%, which was mainly attributed to large scale industries owned by foreign companies, with Thailand merely serving as the location for assembly of component parts. Exports of our agricultural produce also faces with volatility of prices depending on the world market. At the same time, the expansion of tourism was a result of an increase in the number of tourists rather than an increase in value of the service provided, while there is still a lack of effective management necessary to achieve sustainability.
1.3 Thailand still imports a significant amount of energy from abroad. In other words, 55% of the energy used in our country comes from imports; particularly crude oil, which is a main cost of transportation and production, and which has an impact on the cost of living, while cost of production also affects our national competitiveness. Although there are numerous sources of crude oil and natural gas in the ASEAN region, there are few efforts in fostering regional cooperation in the development of energy security. This could be our risk factor in the long run.
1.4 Large economic disparities in our country reflect the weak economic base. People at the grass-roots level not only have to live on meager incomes, but also lack the opportunity to supplement their earnings. Most of them are in the agricultural sector, as well as small and medium enterprises that support large industries. Hence, they lack the opportunity to become middle- class consumers, who form an important basis of consumption and have the ability to create their own goods and services. When inflation hits the economy, this group of people is also most affected by rising cost of living and higher cost of production.
- Political transition - Although the recent political conflict in our country affected confidence in the Thai economy only in the short run, and foreign investors believed that Thai society and people would finally achieve reconciliation, but the growth of our economy in the recent period has been closely intertwined with the recovery of the global economy.
Furthermore, the said political conflict has inevitably affected the laying of a long term structure for the future development of our country, and has caused us to miss an opportunity to develop the country. Over the past five years, the Thai economy expanded at an average of 3.6%, which is well below what should have been, and resulted in the delay of the efforts to solve fundamental problems of most Thais, namely poverty and income disparity.
- Transition of population structure and the Thai society - The changing structure of our population as part of an ageing society will affect both the number and the quality of Thai people in the future. This, in turn, is an important factor for our country’s economic competitiveness. There are also problems of narcotic drugs and other teenage-related problems which could undermine the quality of our youth. It is, therefore, necessary to have an effective education system, as well as to offer healthcare services and social welfare to all Thais. Concurrently, Thailand is facing global changes which will be further intensified in the future, such as global warming, natural disasters, technological changes and rules of competition in the global economy.
Mr. President,
The government will administer the affairs of the state with a flexible approach, taking into account the momentum of external changes which can have an impact on policy implementation. The government will report to the National Assembly when there is a necessity to improve its policy in order to ensure maximum benefits for the country. The policy of this government has three objectives, as follows:
First, to bring about a strong and balanced economic structure for the country, which will be an important basis for sustainable growth with quality. Development in the quality and health of Thai people of all ages is also a determining factor for survival and competitiveness of our economy.
Second, to bring about a Thai society that is reconciled, based on the rule of law which meets the international standard, whereby all Thais are treated equally.
Third, to prepare Thailand for the arrival of the ASEAN Community in 2015, by strengthening the country in the economic, social, cultural, political, and security aspects.
Mr. President,
To administer state affairs successfully and in accordance with theabove- mentioned guidelines, the government has divided the period of implementation into 2 phases, namely the urgent phase, during which work will be carried out in the first year, and the four-year administrative phase of the government, during which national development will be carried out in such a way as to ensure quality, balance, and sustainability with immunity, in line with Sufficiency Economy philosophy.
1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented in the First Year
1.1 Foster reconciliation and harmony among people in the nation and restore democracy
1.1.1 Foster reconciliation and harmony among people in the nation and restore democracy by promoting understanding of the people in the nation in order to create harmony and unity; and, uphold the democratic system with the King as Head of State.
1.1.2 Continuously provide remedies to and rehabilitate persons from all sides such as ordinary people, government officers and private sector entrepreneurs who have been affected by different ideologies and the violence which took place in the latter period of the use of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2540 (1997).
1.1.3 Ensure that the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT) acts independently and receives full cooperation from all sides in carrying out verification and fact finding in the case of political violence, human rights violation, loss of life, physical and mental injury and damage to property.
1.2 Prevention of and define solutions to drug problems as a “national agenda” by adhering to the rule of law to crack down on and penalize producers, dealers, influential persons and wrong doers by strictly enforcing laws; adhere to the principle that a drug addict is a patient who shall receive treatment to enable him/her to return to be a productive member of society; have a systematic mechanism to monitor and provide assistance; seriously expedite the prevention of drug problems by seeking proactive cooperation with foreign countries in controlling and seizing narcotic drugs, chemicals and materials used in the production of narcotic drugs smuggled into the country in an integrated and effective manner; and, prevent vulnerable groups and the general public from getting involved with narcotic drugs by harnessing all sectors of society to fight against narcotic drugs.
1.3 Earnestly prevent and fight against corruption in the public sector by adhering to transparency and good governance which are universally accepted norms to ensure the effective use of resources for national development and true benefits to the nation; amend laws with a view to preventing and fighting against corruption; broaden the enforcement of legislation regarding prohibition of conflicts of interest to include persons who abuse power arising from their important and high positions without exception; rigorously enforce law to deal with corruption by government officers; strengthen morals, ethics and good governance of state personnel; and, foster consciousness and values of society which uphold integrity and justice.
1.4 Promote integrated water management and promptly expand irrigation areas by expediting effective water management at the national level to prevent floods and droughts; support the agricultural sector by constructing a large, medium and small irrigation systems; revive the dredging of existing canals and water resources; expand the area utilizing electrical water pumping; constructing small canal networks running into fields and expanding the area allocated for land readjustment to increase the effectiveness of the use and treatment of water; encouraging the maximization of water benefits and suitability of water to different kinds of plants; and, extensively providing water supply for fields and communities.
1.5 Expeditiously return peace and security to people’s life and property in the Southern Border Provinces along with alleviation of poverty, narcotic drugs and dark forces by adopting His Majesty the King’s guidance to
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“Understand, Reach Out, Develop” as the principle of peaceful conduct by emphasizing the promotion of cooperation in all sectors of society in the area; ensure justice and fairness; enhance the opportunity for education and quality of life; create opportunities and equality; develop the economy and society; respect identities, local customs and traditions; promote decentralization of local governance in line with constitutional local practices. Furthermore, there will be integrated administration to ensure unity at both policy and operational levels in all sectors of society, the improvement and development of relevant laws and rules in congruence with the actual nature of the problem, as well as the provision of remedies to persons affected by violence.
1.6 Expeditiously restore relations and develop cooperation with neighboring countries and other foreign countries so as to boost economic growth in the region, in particular expeditiously address border issues via diplomatic procedures based on relevant treaties and laws, pursue the obligation to integrate into an ASEAN Community in 2015 in the economic, social and security aspects, as well as link intra-regional and inter-regional transportation.
1.7 Alleviate difficulties of people and entrepreneurs as a result of inflationary pressure and high oil prices
1.7.1 Delay collection of the Oil Fund for certain kinds of fuel with a view to immediately lowering the fuel prices and restructuring energy prices with the aim of reflecting the overhead cost of energy.
1.7.2 Provide energy credit cards for public transport providers with a financial amount matching the cost of fuel used per month.
1.7.3 Monitor the prices of consumer goods and energy to ensure that the price levels will be suitable and fair to consumers and producers.
1.7.4 Solve the problem of the high cost of living by monitoring the prices of goods as well as income with a view to increasing people’s purchasing power and preventing and solving the problem of direct and indirect monopoly.
1.8 Raising people’s standard of living by enhancing domestic purchasing power and creating balance and strength with quality in the macroeconomic system.
1.8.1 Freeze the household debts of small farmers and low- income earners with debts less than 500,000 Baht for at least three years; carry out debt restructuring for those with debts of more than 500,000 Baht; and, formulate a comprehensive occupation revival plan and production restructuring plan so as to create the opportunity to raise the quality of life through stable income and the ability to pay off debts.
1.8.2 Enable a worker to earn not less than 300 Baht per day and a bachelor’s degree holder to have an income of not less than 15,000 Baht
per month which will be in line with his/her productivity and efficiency; implement counter-measures to reduce the burden of entrepreneurs whom have been affected by the abovementioned measures so that workers and personnel can make a living with dignity and obtain a decent quality of life.
1.8.3 Provide progressive monthly allowances for senior citizens. Senior citizens at the age between 60 and 69, between 70 and 79, between 80 and 89 and more than 90 years old will receive 600, 700, 800 and 1,000 Baht, respectively.
1.8.4 Introduce tax measures to reduce the general public’s burden of purchasing such essentials as the first house and car.
1.9 Reduce corporate income tax to 23% in 2012 and to 20% in 2013 so as to generate competitiveness of the private sector, to broaden the tax base and to support entry to the ASEAN Community in 2015.
1.10 Improve people’s access to sources of funding; provide support for micro-credit provision, especially credit for low-income earners; increase public welfare to take care of the community; provide sources of funding to entrepreneurs and people through the following measures:
1.10.1 Increase the Village and Urban Community Fund to 1 million Baht per unit.
1.10.2 Establish a fund to develop women’s roles with an average funding of 100 million Baht per province.
1.10.3 Establish a fund of 1,000 million Baht for participating universities to promote the creation of small entrepreneurs and enable them to borrow money supported by a “business incubator” service within educational institutions and to create innovative enterprises which will drive the economy.
1.10.4 Allocate funding to the SML fund for community and village development to the amount of 300,000 Baht, 400,000 Baht and 500,000 Baht, corresponding with the village size in order for villages to manage for their own development.
1.11 Raise the price of agricultural products and enable farmers to gain access to sources of investment by ensuring that prices of agricultural products remain reasonably stable, reflecting global market price mechanisms, by utilizing marketing management and futures markets. Support farmers to sell their products at reasonably high prices compared to their costs. Implement a crop insurance scheme in order to provide income security for farmers, beginning with long grain rice and fragrant Hom Mali rice with moisture not exceeding 15% at 15,000 Baht and 20,000 Baht per cart, respectively. Provide remedies to farmers whose crops are damaged by natural disasters. Establish a registration system for farmer households and issue credit cards for farmers.
1.12 Expeditiously increase income generation from domestic and in-bound tourism by proclaiming 2011-2012 as the “Miracle Thailand” Year and invite foreign tourists to join in the celebrations on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s 84th Birthday Anniversary.
1.13 Support development of folk arts and crafts in order to promote and create local identity and local products
1.13.1 Support the activities of the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques (SUPPORT Foundation) in the production of arts and crafts in order to create employment for impoverished citizens; develop skills in the arts and build notoriety for Thailand in the arts.
1.13.2 Manage and strengthen the “One Tambol, One Product” program by supporting communities and community enterprises in utilizing traditional knowledge in tandem with current knowledge to raise the quality of their products and services, and to gain access to funding and markets at home and abroad. Establish permanent centers for distribution and display of products in the region and major tourist centers thus linking both tourism and export sales.
1.14 Further develop the health insurance system - Increase the efficiency of the 30 Baht universal healthcare system; find cures for diseases; ensure that all citizens receive access to quality, convenient, timely and equitable healthcare; integrate the various rights of patients under different systems into the health insurance system; integrate the work plans of relevant agencies to ensure consistency; promote the widespread use of modern and cost effective technologies; establish measures that will reduce health-risk factors and malnourishment that may lead to protracted illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, stroke and cancer, as well as monitor emerging diseases and safeguard against traffic accidents.
1.15 Procure tablet PCs for schools by initially distributing tablet PCs to first-year primary school students for the 2012 academic year, as well as expeditiously develop appropriate content in accordance with the approved curriculum that can be installed into the tablet PCs. Provide wireless internet services free-of-charge in public areas and educational institutions.
1.16 Expedite political reforms with broad based public participation by the appointment of an independent constitution drafting committee to draft a new constitution to ensure that the exercise of political power is based on the rule of law; the exercise of governmental authority is accountable to the people and are open to scrutiny. The new draft constitution will be approved by referendum.
Mr. President,
As for policies to be implemented over the four-year tenure of this Government, the Government will implement key policies in the administration of state affairs, as appears in policies numbers 2 to 8, as follows:
2. Policy on National Security
2.1 Uphold, protect and preserve the institution of the monarchy by implementing His Majesty the King’s Royal Projects, initiatives and advice in order to foster public consciousness, loyalty and respect in the contribution of the monarchy to the country. Support and promote public awareness of Royal Projects so that Thai society can become harmonious and live by the principle of sufficiency.
2.2 Develop and strengthen the armed forces and national defense capability in safeguarding the sovereignty and security of the state. Support the modernization of the armed forces and strengthen the national defense industry on the part of both the public and private sectors in order to develop our capability to produce our own weapons and equipment. Support the rights and duties of troops so that they become a people-centered and professional armed forces under a democratic system, capable of protecting the nation’s security. Strengthen the capacity of the armed forces to mobilize to assist citizens and respond to natural and man-made disasters. Revise benefits and welfare for troops at all levels to be in line with current conditions.
2.3 Develop and strengthen international cooperation - Promote and develop military cooperation with allied countries; maintain readiness to undertake peacekeeping missions under the framework of the United Nations (U.N.); promote and develop relations between security agencies of neighboring countries in order to resolve pending issues and build confidence for stakeholders including states and citizens; survey and demarcate boundary lines in accordance with the law and existing treaties to prevent it from being used as a precondition for conflicts; and, promote cooperation with neighboring countries to curb and suppress transnational crime and drugs.
2.4 Develop a national preparedness system focusing on crisis management to respond to increasing threats from both natural and man-made disasters; take joint and collective action by mobilizing resources from all sectors in order to protect, resolve, alleviate and rehabilitate affected areas from all forms of threats; stress the importance of and strengthen the capacity to respond to non-traditional security threats such as energy security, the environment, human security, transnational crimes, and terrorism; strengthen the capacity to cope and respond to security challenges in the era of globalization.
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2.5 Expeditiously resolve the problems of drugs, organized crime, human trafficking, illegal immigration, illegal foreign workers and individuals without legal status by improving preventive measures and law enforcement including laws on the prevention and suppression of money laundering; ensure fairness and improve surveillance so that it does not affect national security; and, resolve the problem of individuals without legal status by taking an approach that balances national security and basic human rights.
3. Policy on Economic
3.1 Macroeconomic Policy
3.1.1 Ensure the fair distribution of income for the majority of citizens and work towards high and stable economic growth by implementing economic policies that promote fair income distribution and sustainable economic expansion, achieve full employment and maintain price stability; mitigating the impact of volatility risk stemming from international capital flows by strengthening domestic financial and capital markets, and enhancing regional cooperation to better cope with volatility.
3.1.2 Promote access to finance that is fair and responsive to the various needs of all citizens, and also that is a financial source for entrepreneurs and an alternative saving option, especially for low-income citizens; enhance administrative capacity of community-based financial organizations, farmers’ groups, small and micro community enterprise groups, cooperatives at all levels and various occupational groups; and, promote basic financial literacy for all.
3.1.3 Improve domestic financial institutions; encourage them to be socially responsible to the majority of citizens and the disadvantaged; enable them to provide services that are responsive to changes in financial innovation and people’s evolving needs due to developments in the economic and social environment, with efficiency and lower service charges; create stability and security for domestic financial institutions by implementing necessary measures and improving laws and regulations where necessary; promote good governance in the financial system and improve the regulatory system to meet with international standards so as to prevent risks to the nation’s financial and economic systems.
3.1.4 Reform the tax structure to enhance national competitiveness, ensure fairness and promote resource efficiency, with a view to building a sustainable income tax base in the long run; and, increase efficiency in the collection of tax and non-tax revenue.
3.1.5 Promote and maintain fiscal discipline by improving public budget composition and structure, putting in place an efficient fiscal risk management system, and prioritizing budget expenditures in support of the national development plan and future development; encourage the private sector to invest and participate in state undertakings; encourage local administrative bodies to improve the efficiency of their administrative system and income management in order to be self-reliant and less dependent on financial subsidies from central bodies.
3.1.6 Improve the structure of state enterprises by increasing the efficiency of their service and asset management to maximize the country’s benefit; intensify the effort in rehabilitating financially troubled state enterprises; reform the regulatory system on investment and operation of state enterprises, in particular, state-owned corporations to turn them into efficient engines for national development and investment strategies.
3.1.7 Manage national assets, such as government assets and local cultural capital, including traditional knowledge, ways of life and culture, to maximize the country’s benefit and economic security; consider establishing funds, such as sovereign wealth fund, national petroleum reserve fund and food security fund to facilitate better national asset management.
3.2 Policy on Income Generation
3.2.1 Promote tourism including domestic tourism by Thais; attract foreign and domestic tourists by developing tourism and tourist destinations and ensuring traveler’s safety under all circumstances; support ecotourism, cultural tourism, medical tourism and spas with high quality and value addition; and, set a target to double tourism revenue within five years.
3.2.2 Expand the role of agricultural and food businesses that have long been our national income and employment sources; to be high quality food production and food trade hubs that are able to meet with the demand of consumers with high income and unique preferences; develop Thailand to be the future market center for agricultural products and food, including rice, sugar and cassava, so as to move towards the target of becoming a high quality world’s kitchen.
3.2.3 Promote energy, petroleum and renewable energy industries as a new industry strategy; and, enable these industries to generate income from domestic demand and increase employment.
3.2.4 Enhance competitiveness and broaden market access for industries, domestic services and business of small and micro community enterprises by integrating them into the creative economy so as to produce goods and services with high value and quality while promoting a knowledge- based, skill-based and creative society; and, support innovation from research and development and traditional knowledge-based product branding, especially for arts and crafts, community products and jewelry.
3.2.5 Encourage expansion of Thai entrepreneurs’ investment in neighboring countries that are able to supply labor and factors of production to bring forth economic prosperity for Thailand and the region.
3.2.6 Attract foreign investment in the manufacturing and service sectors that require high value technology and are environmentally friendly, as well as provide technology transfer for Thais; attract investment in building public infrastructure and new cities in appropriate areas; and, amend rules and regulations to provide an environment that facilitates investment and investors.
3.2.7 Support the job creation process by systematically creating high quality and high income jobs for all citizens regardless of their educational level; broaden their knowledge, skills and creativity to create opportunities for accessing finance and venture capital in the long run; and, establish funds to facilitate cutting-edge production, efficient processing and trade, in order to produce high-quality goods and services that are better priced.
3.2.8 Promote and expand integration in the areas of economics, trade, investment and finance to enhance mutual benefits under cooperative frameworks and international trade agreements - bilateral and multilateral; put in place preparedness measures; and, enable businesses and citizens to search for new opportunities and become more resilient.
3.3 Economic Restructuring Policy
3.3.1 Agricultural Sector
1) Promote and support the National Farmers Council as a mechanism for farmers to communicate with the government and collectively develop themselves in accordance with the spirit of the law.
2) Increase crop productivity through research and development on crop strain improvement; develop production technology for high-yielding, pest and disease resistant production in line with global climate change situations; and transfer research knowledge to farmers so that they can use good crop strains and technologies that are appropriate to local conditions, particularly the use of fertilizers appropriate to each soil type, to reduce production costs and enhance production quality.
3) Enhance potential in the livestock production process to comply with standards and safety, environmentally friendly and adequately meet domestic and export demands. Enhance the capacity to control, prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and animal-to-human disease transmission, as well as the capacity to develop veterinary biosciences and quality inspection.
4) Develop fishery, both aquaculture and in natural waters, through fish stock replenishment and fishery management to balance fishing with the potential for natural reproduction; enlarge conservation areas for artisanal fishing; promote environmentally friendly aquaculture of high- value marine species; explore fishing opportunities outside territorial waters that are not in violation of rules and regulations of international organizations and importing countries through the development of deep sea fishing fleets and international cooperation; develop upstream and downstream fishery products
that meet quality and safety requirements; and, improve the quality inspection process for marine animals to meet international standards.
5) Strengthen the grassroots farmer households by increasing farming productivity, reducing production costs, and developing a systematic production system with precise planning on production and futures trading, together with coordinating between public and private infrastructure for the highest benefit as well as forming a process to integrate technology and popular wisdom.
6) Establish a farmer household registration system, with a complete set of information on household farming, that could be linked to farmer’s credit cards, and continue to keep it up-to-date to facilitate the support, help and development of farmers; create job security for farmers; put in place village farmer volunteers to support the work of the government; and, launch agricultural television programs to disseminate knowledge on production and marketing among farmers.
7) Expedite agricultural business development by developing business training within agricultural institutes; use available funding to cultivate next generation farmers; support academic institutions to achieve educational excellence in all agricultural fields; and, working to harness the personnel in academic institutions to support agricultural extension; develop formats for production management, product packaging development, and traceability; expedite agro-industry development such as rubber and energy crops, for example, palm oil, sugarcane and cassava, to be prepared for a global energy crisis; and, promote production of new, high-return products with the aim to increase the share of the agricultural sector in the country’s GDP.
8) Develop value-added agro-industries to increase competitiveness in the world market by promoting production of new, high- profit products and employing full value-chain processing techniques to maximize the added-value; develop the marketing system at every stage; improve product quality and international reputation; develop regional and product-based business groups to enhance the ability to compete and create opportunities to be the price setter, particularly in the rice market; expedite negotiations on agreements that set the world market’s standards for food and agricultural products; promote Thailand as the Kitchen of the World both in terms of agricultural products and Thai food; and, support overseas agricultural investment.
9) Promote New Theory agriculture, support research and development on plant and animal species, restore the environment, strengthen the agricultural sector and improve food security to be prepared for a global food crisis. Create a balance between food and energy crops as well as promote organic farming and alternative agriculture. Restructure and allocate land to indigent farmers, and restore soil quality to maintain and sustain its fertility.
3.3.2 Industrial Sector
1) Improve domestic industrial sector competitiveness by increasing productivity, promoting energy efficiency, providing access to cheaper capital, and improving product quality and standards to gain international recognition. Encourage the private sector to invest in research and development of commercially-viable technology and innovation both in the production process and product design to meet consumer and market demand, and promote brand creation for Thai products.
2) Develop the industrial sector into a creative industry based on knowledge, technology and local wisdom to replace labor- intensive industry by promoting innovation based on Thai culture to generate income for the country, such as the movie production industry, Thai food industry, sports industry, tourism industry and design industry.
3) Develop and promote the agro-processing industry based on knowledge, creativity, local wisdom and innovation to create added value and improve products to meet international safety and quality standards, as well as create opportunities for market expansion, for example, organic farming produce and Halal food, to increase farmers’ income.
4) Strengthen SMEs by providing access to financial institutions’ funding resources; promote specialized institutions as centers for knowledge exchange and product testing; support industrial clustering from upstream to downstream; and, improve criteria for investment promotion for SMEs to better facilitate investment.
5) Set standards and minimum quality requirements for industrial products to prevent imports of low-quality products that could pose danger to life and property and cause harm to the environment, as FTAs continue to be implemented; strictly enforce use of the Thai industrial standard (TIS) for products produced domestically; and, work towards bringing ASEAN to collectively recognize standards and quality of products.
6) Develop new industrial zones in every region, as appropriate, to support investment in non-polluting industries. Develop transportation infrastructure connecting the industrial zones with Laem Chabang and Map Ta Phut Ports, including a land bridge connecting the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand coastlines to support investment in non-polluting, eco- friendly and community-friendly industries.
7) Expedite development of the industrial sector so that it is eco-friendly, socially responsible and can co-exist with the community by improving production technology, reducing resource use and lowering greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the principle of reduce, reuse and recycle; increase use of renewable energy in the industrial sector in order to encourage producers to earn extra income from selling carbon credits and reduce global warming; support community participation in problem solving
and environmental inspection; and, develop towns or eco-industrial towns accordingly to the aforementioned approaches to become a low-carbon society.
8) Promote and use tax and other measures to develop industries that conserve energy; use renewable energy and energy from the agricultural sector; the eco-car industry; and, the alternative fuel or clean energy vehicle industry, i.e. ethanol, biodiesel and NGV.
9) Encourage producers in every industrial field to set up their operation in industrial estates which are equipped with public utilities, ample energy supply, waste and pollution treatment for a clean and healthy environment; and, design the production system to facilitate long-term industrial development.
10) Expedite the exploration of key mineral resources for economic purposes and develop downstream industries that add value, while attaching importance to the regulation of environmental and community impacts.
3.3.3 Tourism, Service and Sports Sectors
1) Development of Tourism
1.1) Promote the development of infrastructure to support tourism, expedite improvement in the standard of facilities, safety and hygiene, with consideration given to accessibility to tourist destinations for the disabled and the elderly.
1.2) Develop, restore, and revive existing natural, historical, and cultural tourist destinations; promote the development of new destinations in areas with potential for linking nature, culture and local lifestyles, in accordance with the tourism development plan, which sets the framework for the development of tourist destinations, and encourage investment by the private sector and local administration.
1.3) Raise and maintain the standard for tourism services to meet international standards; improve the standards of personnel in the tourism sector; and, improve public services in order to attract and be able to efficiently service the market for quality tourists.
1.4) Promote the market for quality tourists, both inbound and domestic, through proactive marketing strategies targeting various groups in Thailand and abroad; making Thailand a world-class tourist destination, a center for international meetings and exhibitions, as well as a medical tourism hub; improve efficiency in issuing visas, waive visa fees for visitors from Thailand’s FTA partner countries, or those with trade and investment relations with Thailand and waive visa requirements for tourists from target countries.
1.5) Promote tourism activities to add value to the tourism sector; improve the quality of tourism services; promote Thailand as a filming location; and, support Thailand’s bid to host international events
1.6) Promote inter-agency cooperation to provide quality service to tourists; improve the quality of tourism personnel to meet the demands; revise laws and regulations and improve the effectiveness of law enforcement to facilitate tourism; ensure safety; prevent the exploitation of tourists; resolve environmental problems; and, develop a sustainable tourism industry.
1.7) Improve marketing and public relations; promote the roles of local administration and the private sector in designing marketing and public relations policies and strategies to make Thailand a globally recognized tourist destination.
2) Development of the Service Sector
2.1) Expedite the development of know-how for service providers; support innovation and skills in languages, service standards and management, to strengthen operators and help them keep up with changes in international agreements governing services; create an attractive investment environment and business standards; improve readiness of personnel for business expansion; and, enhance the competitiveness of the Thai service sector.
2.2) Develop service industries with growth potential to expand production and marketing bases at the regional level, by increasing variety, value and competitiveness of their services, generating income from abroad and domestically, such as from tourism, healthcare services, meetings and exhibitions, international education, construction, film business, fashion design, jewelry, freight services, information technology and communications, sports and recreation and creative products based on a fusion of cultural and traditional knowledge with new technology.
3) Development of Sports
3.1) Promote Thailand as a regional and global center for sports; organize world sports events and sports events for the disabled; organize meetings on sports at the regional and global levels; and, linking sports with tourism through cooperation and participation from all parties as “Team Thailand”.
3.2) Provide and develop adequate sports infrastructure, especially facilities such as stadiums, materials and modern equipment; provide trainers and sports volunteers attached to sports stadiums and centers; encourage investment and donations from the private sector towards the development of sports through appropriate incentives such as investment promotion, fiscal and monetary measures, with transparency and good governance.
3.3) Provide scholarships and grants for children and youth with skills and potential to become skilled athletes at the international level to become a part of the national team that can bring fame to the country and serve as good role models for Thai youth; and, make it the role of the National Sports Development Fund to develop athletes from a young age.
3.4) Develop sports excellence by employing sports science and technology to improve professional sports; develop trainers and referees to meet international standards; revise laws and regulations to be used as efficient tools for managing sports organizations; promote accessibility for disabled persons in sports and competitions at all levels and develop them into national athletes to participate in sports events and competitions.
3.3.4 Marketing, Trade and Investment
1) Promote a policy of free and fair competition to prevent monopolization of markets; promote and support the role of public and private organizations working on consumer protection; improve legislation and other measures to ensure fair treatment of consumers; and, assure private entrepreneurs of the protection of intellectual property rights of Thai products overseas.
2) Bolster the confidence of both domestic and foreign investors through improvement in laws and regulations that promote trade and investment in the agriculture, industrial and service sectors; improvement in import regulations to prevent unfair trade, dumping and products that do not comply with quality and safety standards; and, move towards healthy and sustainable economic growth that distributes economic benefits evenly and remains resilient to current and future global economic transformations.
3) Support Thai investment overseas in areas where Thai entrepreneurs have potential, including investment in manufacturing plants, contract farming, opening of branches abroad and fostering relationships with foreign agents and partners in order to establish strong Thai business networks overseas; promote and support setting up of Thai restaurants by Thai nationals abroad, in line with the ‘Thai Kitchen to the World’ and ‘Thailand: Kitchen of the World’ policies.
4) Improve investment promotion measures to include the extension of incentives to businesses in the agriculture, industrial and service sectors, including in tourism and sports, with emphasis given to creative, environmentally friendly, technologically advanced and socially responsible business enterprises.
5) Support proactive market expansion aimed at maintaining presence in traditional markets while penetrating emerging markets in order to lessen the degree of export dependence on traditional markets, through the promotion of exports of goods and services to emerging markets, namely China, India, the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe, while maintaining market share in traditional markets; accelerating the development of skills, technology and scientific knowledge that are vital to sustaining competitiveness at the global level, in order to ensure sustainable growth of the country in the future, as well as promote awareness and recognition of Thai products and services among foreign consumers.
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6) Develop goods and services that create new income-generating opportunities, as well as meet the demands and preferences of global consumers, taking into account the concepts of innovation-driven creative economy, utilization of local wisdom, and environmental considerations; reduce costs through the development of distribution networks linking rural production bases with markets of all levels, with emphasis on improving connectivity to bolster Thailand’s position as the region’s gateway to global markets; develop and promote Thailand as an international hub for trade in goods and services, as well as a global hub for Halal food production and exports.
7) Broaden and deepen international economic linkages in trade, investment and marketing through multilateral and bilateral cooperation frameworks and free trade agreements, by expediting the utilization of existing agreements, setting out appropriate measures to prevent the negative impacts that may arise, providing remedies for those adversely affected, as well as creating awareness and understanding of various economic cooperation frameworks in order to facilitate the development of goods and services in compliance with the relevant rules and standards.
8) Expedite the establishment of Special Economic Development Zones in areas with high potential, with particular attention given to border provinces, in order to promote trade, marketing, investment, employment and sourcing of raw materials from neighboring countries, making full use of ASEAN’s regional connectivity.
3.4 Policy on Infrastructure, Rail Transport System Development and Management of Goods and Services Transportation
3.4.1 Develop basic transportation and public utilities infrastructure to adequately service all regions. Energy-saving measures will also be promoted, while transportation costs will be reduced in order to improve people’s quality of life, increase competitiveness, create opportunities for income generation, decentralize the economy and encourage investment in rural areas. Public utility service charges will also be regulated to be more suited to specific local conditions and stakeholders, as well as ensure consumer protection.
3.4.2 Expand the provision of clean water for drinking and other consumption to serve the needs of the population in all areas and to ensure equal access to clean water across the country in order to improve people’s quality of life.
3.4.3 Develop multimodal transportation facilities to link the nation’s production and export bases. Accelerate management reform of the country’s rail transport system in order to ensure long-term efficiency.
3.4.4 Develop rail transport system by integrating the rail network and management of passenger and goods transportation to ensure
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convenience and safety in the rural, urban and international areas. Promote the expansion of production bases along railway routes. Furthermore, the following measures will be taken,
1) Develop dual track railway system to link the suburbs with important provincial cities.
2) Study and develop a high-speed railway system on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima, Bangkok-Hua Hin routes, as well as other routes with the view of achieving connectivity with neighboring countries.
3) Study and develop the expansion of the Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link to Chonburi and Pattaya.
3.4.5 Expedite the construction of ten mass rapid transit lines in the Bangkok Metropolitan area to be completed within four years. The fare will be a flat rate of 20 Baht across the system. The development of a single- ticket system for all lines will also be accelerated. Furthermore, housing will be developed near mass rapid transit stations to provide those with low-incomes access to low-price and low-rent housing within reach of an advanced public transportation network.
3.4.6 Develop river transportation and Merchant Marine activities on the coasts of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand through the development of deep-sea ports and a land bridge to link both coasts in the South.
3.4.7 Develop international and regional airports as well as the Thai aviation industry. The capacity of Suvarnabhumi Airport will be increased from the current 45 million passengers to over 65 million passengers per annum in order to transform Thailand into a leading Asian and global hub for aviation, tourism and air freight industries.
3.5 Energy Policy
3.5.1 Promote and drive the energy sector to generate income for the country. As a strategic industry, investment in energy infrastructure will be increased to make Thailand a regional center for the energy business, building upon the competitiveness of its strategic location.
3.5.2 Reinforce energy security through development of the electrical power grid and exploration of new and existing energy sources, both in Thailand and abroad. Energy sources and types will also be diversified so that Thailand will be able to meet its energy needs from a variety of sustainable energy sources.
3.5.3 Regulate energy prices to ensure fairness as well as reflect the production costs by adjusting the role of the Oil Fund into a fund which ensures price stability. Subsidies will be available for vulnerable groups. The use of natural gas in the transport sector will also be promoted, while the use of gasohol and biodiesel will be promoted for use in the household sector.
3.5.4 Support the production, use, research and development of renewable and alternative energy sources, with the objective of replacing 25% of the energy generated by fossil fuels within the next decade. Comprehensive development of the energy industry will also be promoted.
3.5.5 Promote and drive energy conservation through the reduction of power usage in the production process by 25 % within the next two decades. The use of energy efficient equipment and buildings will be promoted, while Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) will be used to reduce emission of Green House Gases and tackle global climate change. Systematically raise consumer awareness to use energy efficiently in order to conserve power in the production and transport sectors, as well as in the household.
3.6 Information Technology Policy
3.6.1 Develop information technology infrastructure by accelerating the establishment of a hi-speed communications network that is broad based, accessible, adequate, reliable and reasonably priced, with fair competition. This will enable Thailand to become a knowledge-based society with wisdom, innovation and creativity, while helping to reduce the disparities between urban and rural communities, facilitate access to news and information, improve the quality of education, enhance human resource development, promote the reduction of energy consumption which is environmentally friendly, and increase competitiveness of the country in the long run.
3.6.2 Promote free access to and appropriate use of the Internet in public areas. Encourage the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to: (1) use the NBTC Research and Development Fund for public benefit; (2) provide free Internet access in public areas, government offices and designated educational institutions; and (3) set broad based coverage as a condition for telecommunications service providers.
3.6.3 Promote the most effective use of frequencies, which are a national asset, in the best interest of the country and the people, and preserve the legitimate rights of the country in using telecommunications technology in outer space.
3.6.4 Promote the use of the public and private sector radio and television media, as well as conversion from analog to digital systems, with a view to maximizing the benefits for the country and people. Encourage NBTC to coordinate with relevant government agencies on these matters.
3.6.5 Promote and support the development of software, hardware and related industries and establish funding mechanisms for small and medium sized information technology enterprises. Improve the quality of human resources to meet the required standards and respond to the needs of the industry with a view to making Thailand a regional hub for information and communications technology.
4. Policy on Social and Quality of Life
4.1 Education Policy
4.1.1 Improve the quality of education by undertaking reform of Thailand’s knowledge system, which includes improving the quality of the bodies of knowledge in Thai society to meet international standards, setting up the National Book Project which contains advanced and regular levels of both universal and traditional knowledge, promoting reading and learning of foreign and local languages, establishing a knowledge management system, modifying educational curricula at all levels in keeping with globalization and meeting international standards while preserving local and national identities, improving educational outcomes at all levels measured by the passing of national and international standardized examinations, eradicating illiteracy from Thai society, producing enough qualified teachers, ensuring high-quality schools and vocational schools in every area, improving the quality of national universities to meet international standards, focusing on teaching moral responsibilities at an individual level in addition to excelling in secular knowledge, raising awareness in the recognition of rights, duties and equality, ensuring that education is a true foundation of a truly democratic society, and reforming the structure of the administrative system of academic institutions through decentralization starting with areas that are most ready.
4.1.2 Create and ensure equal educational opportunities for all groups of the population, which includes the impoverished, the disadvantaged, the disabled and minority groups. Education begins during pregnancy to ensure both mothers and children are well and effectively taken care of. The government will provide quality education for all, according to age and development, from pre-school to compulsory basic education, and allow the transfer of credits in order to reduce drop-out rates.
Additionally, minimize obstacles hindering access to university and advanced vocational education. Set up the “Student Loans Project with Repayment Tied to Future Incomes” where borrowers will repay their debts only when they begin to earn sufficient income. Allow debt moratorium to debtors of student loans. Streamline admissions systems for all levels of education with a view to creating equal opportunities for all – in particular, the university admissions system must be fair and effective. Reestablish the “One District, One Scholarship Project” which provides opportunities for Thai students to go study abroad. Organize community education with a view to turning Thailand into a knowledge and life-long learning society.
4.1.3 Teacher Reform - Upgrade the teaching profession to be a truly high-skilled occupation. Ensure that the quality of teachers meets international standards. Provide incentives for capable and conscientious persons to become teachers. Make salary and compensation schemes for
teachers more lucrative and competitive. Develop an evaluation system where teachers are evaluated based on their performance, delivery and management. On a regular basis, offer education and training to enhance teachers’ skills. Resolve the debt problem of teachers through debt moratorium and debt refinance that is in line with the Government’s policy on resolving household debts. Develop a geo-information system to assist in the distribution of teachers in different areas throughout the country. Resolve the problem of lack of teachers in main subjects such as mathematics, science and languages.
4.1.4 Design university and vocational education in a way that is able to meet with the need of the labor market – in terms of both quantity and quality. Encourage students to participate in internship programs and to work while studying. Assist graduates to successfully find jobs immediately after graduation by utilizing cooperation between the business community and academic institutions. Promote the establishment of vocational training centers, where students and interested people can enhance or practice their skills prior to making their living based on those skills. Vocational institutions will cooperate with experts in diverse vocational areas to provide support to the training centers.
The government will coordinate closely with the private sector to promote and support vocational education, as well as make vocational professions more acceptable socially and more promising economically.
4.1.5 Ensure that the use of information technology for education meets international standards. This will improve the quality of education and lead to more equal distribution of educational opportunities. Set up a student-centered national e-learning system, which encourages life-long learning. Develop an information network for education and establish the “Cyber Home” system where academic lessons can be transmitted to students at home via the high-speed Internet network. Provide students at all levels with tablet PCs for educational purposes. Increase the coverage of education TV channels. Turn pilot classrooms into electronic classrooms. Enable the “Fund for Technology Development for Education” to fulfill its objectives.
4.1.6 Promote research and development in order to enhance national intellectual capital. Develop Thai universities to become internationally recognized research universities. Mobilize resources to develop national research networks with a view to generating knowledge and innovation. Make Thailand self-reliant on technology as a foundation for a creative economy. Establish centers of excellence for research in needed areas. Develop a national research administration organization and promote appropriate and effective relationships between the organization and academic institutions.
4.1.7 Enhance the capacity of human resources in order to prepare for liberalization due to the formation of ASEAN Community. Cooperate with the private sector and academic institutions in designing how to produce and develop sufficient high-quality human resources, which meets the
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need of the manufacturing and services sectors. Expedite the process of setting professional standards and certification for all industries.
4.2 Labor Policy
4.2.1 Enable those who wish to work in the formal sector to conveniently access job information, at the same time encourage employers to obtain information on job seekers at every level, as well as enable those who seek work in the informal sector to choose jobs and work under appropriate conditions.
4.2.2 Provide protection for laborers according to Thai labor laws, especially on work safety and welfare, as well as provide job security.
4.2.3 Promote a labor relations system for all parties involved to be able to address any labor relations issues efficiently, fairly and lawfully.
4.2.4 Increase social security benefits so those under the scheme could adequately access healthcare, as well as improve and expand the coverage of the scheme to entice informal sector workers to join the scheme.
4.2.5 Upgrade non-skilled labor to semi-skilled labor and semi-skilled labor to skilled labor through cooperation between the public and private sectors, with the aim of making Thailand a country that utilizes a wholly skilled labor force.
4.2.6 Prepare for the free movement of skilled labor under the 2015 ASEAN Community with priority given to an effective foreign worker management system, facilitation, supervision and monitoring of inflows and outflows, to attract skilled labor into the country, while preventing the effects of unskilled labor entering the country.
4.2.7 Establish appropriate measures to regulate the inflow of foreign labor, while considering the labor needs of the private sector as well as the peace and security of the country.
4.3 Public Health Policy
4.3.1 Invest in public health service by systematically improving the quality of service at all levels; urgently increase the number of medical and public health personnel to cope with increased demand for medical care; increase the capacity of hospitals at all levels, especially regional hospitals; introduce a system to effectively transfer patients to different levels of hospitals; aim to provide hospitals at every level with advanced laboratory and medical equipment; and, develop primary health care service units in urban and rural areas all over the country.
4.3.2 Produce a sufficient number of public health personnel for each locality by drawing up a plan to solve the shortage; support the training and return of new doctors and medical personnel to their hometown, as well as create a clearly defined career path and provide fair compensation to boost the morale of such individuals.
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4.3.3 Initiate good health measures with the objective of reducing illnesses, death and incidents of prolonged non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and cancer. This will be achieved by establishing a public health policy that reduces health risks, educates the public directly and through the media for behavioral modification, strengthens the community, provides proactive health services and consumer protection.
4.3.4 Develop the competency of public health volunteers to become a community health manager; broadening their coverage to disadvantaged groups; equip them with basic medical equipment to look after the health of people within the community; cultivate community leaders in the area of family health and basic public health so that local communities are able to contribute to achieving good health and sustainably eradicate community health problems.
4.3.5 Improve people’s quality of life starting from pregnancy, infancy, adolescence, adulthood to the elderly and disabled; support children’s intellectual development project; provide help, guidance and training for pre-school development centers’ personnel; support the women’s health promotion centers project to systematically oversee the health of women and children all over the country, as well as disseminate knowledge on the prevention of teenage and unwanted pregnancy; reduce acts of violence against children and women; support the elderly and disabled persons health promotion centers project to improve their quality of life by providing access to health services that offer quality, fairness and dignity, as well as establish a health rehabilitation program in the community; and, proactively and systematically promote knowledge about health through various media.
4.3.6 Encourage the public to exercise and play sports for good health, cultivate good sportsmanship, as well as make good use of spare time to avoid the use of drug and alcohol.
4.3.7 Make Thailand Asia’s leader in heath care product and service provider by cooperating with all relevant sectors in advancing capacity without compromising the overall level of service provided to Thai citizens; encourage the private sector to set up health rehabilitation centers that meet required standards; and, amend relevant rules and regulations to allow sharing of medical personnel between the private and public sectors.
4.4 Policy on Religions, Arts and Culture
4.4.1 Hasten the process to emphasize the leading roles of religions, arts and culture in upholding the three main institutions: Nation, Religion and the Monarchy; build a “living well nation” by applying His Majesty the King’s advice given to the government, urging the administration to maintain the living well nature of the country amidst the chaotic situations around the world; apply His Majesty the King’s “to preserve culture is to
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preserve the nation” concept, delivered during the inauguration ceremony of the National Museum, Ayutthaya, in order to unite and harmonize society and foster reconciliation among the people.
4.4.2 Support, protect and preserve Buddhism and other religions by encouraging the revitalization of organizations and mechanisms responsible for religious affairs in order to ensure that their work in managing, promoting and preserving religions proceeds in a unified and efficient manner; encourage good understanding and harmony among people of all faiths so that religious teachings can be used to promote morality, virtue and ethics and motivate people to apply such teachings in their daily life.
4.4.3 Preserve, maintain and restore religious, artistic and cultural sites, including archaeological sites and artifacts that are of unique and historical value to the nation; preserve and support the performing arts, national and folk performances to be national and world heritages; guarantee the accessibility of the general public to cultural performances by increasing performance venues both in the central and regional areas and ensure affordability of the performances in order that the majority of the public, especially children and youth, will be able to appreciate and be proud of Thai performing arts and that foreigners will be able to witness the aesthetic value of this branch of Thai arts.
4.4.4 Create a civilization that leads to better quality of life and society as follows:
1) Assure the quality of life of persons working in religious, artistic and cultural fields who are cultural ambassadors and role models who can transfer knowledge and wisdom of each historical period and inspire the next generation.
2) Encourage cultural cooperation, cultural connectivity and good cultural relations with other countries and within the ASEAN Community through new forms of communication and advanced technology; produce learning materials by using electronic media, animation, documentaries and movies and disseminate and publish those works via new communication channels.
4.4.5 Increase economic and social values of cultural capital by using arts, culture and local wisdom to create job opportunities; upgrade locally produced cultural products and services to become the products of creative culture which will increase local income as well as national income if the cultural industry is developed in a comprehensive manner.
4.4.6 Develop cultural learning centers and recreational spaces to encourage Thai teenagers to spend their free time usefully, to possess morality and to care for others, as well as learn to understand and appreciate the aesthetic value of the arts in a creative manner.
4.4.7 Broaden the networks of cooperation between the Cultural Councils in each province and relevant partners; expand the Councils’
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role in monitoring cultural and media threads which may cause behavioral deviancy among children and youth; and, increase the production of positive media which helps immunizes society, while eliminating non-productive media.
4.5 Life and Social Security Policy
4.5.1 Promote closer family ties and stability by strengthening relations among family members to create a strong family bond; develop parents’ knowledge about information technology to maximize the benefit from such technology and to reduce the gap within the family; and, support the role of religious leaders as the center of the community connecting home, religion and schools together.
Encourage local communities to participate in the process of strengthening family relations by coordinating with local administration in organizing relevant activities; promote the family’s participation in activities which serve good causes in society; support cooperation between public volunteers, government agencies and funds, as well as encourage the private sector to partake in the social and life security development, based on locality.
4.5.2 Ensure human dignity by eliminating all forms of discrimination and human rights abuse, combating human trafficking, improving and strictly enforcing laws to effectively tackle sources of vices and addictive substances, as well as combating and taking serious punitive measures against culprits; promote consumer protection from deception and exploitation, and providing the poor with housing and career opportunities for a dignified way of life.
4.5.3 Promote the development of children and youth to become quality citizens through the development of children starting from gestation, birth, pre-school age and throughout their entire youth to promote morality along with knowledge; emphasizing the importance of breast-feeding during the first six months of a child’s life; supporting the establishment of quality pre-school childcare centers; eliminating all forms of child abuse; encouraging children to participate in community services and learn from these activities; and, promoting learning processes to develop children’s IQ and EQ.
4.5.4 Promote equal opportunities for women to take part in the country’s development by protecting women’s rights; improving laws that protect women from domestic violence and maximize their potentials so that they can take part in developing the country economically and politically; increasing educational and healthcare opportunities for women in both urban and rural areas to improve their knowledge and quality of life, and to enable them to have income and security; set up childcare centers in public and private workplaces, as well as community childcare centers; increasing the number and improving the quality of one-stop crisis centers that provide 24-hour assistance to children and women that are victims of domestic violence; promoting
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women’s roles in building a strong family; and, establishing a foundation for improving the role of Thai women in the modern world.
4.5.5 Improve the quality of life of the elderly, the disabled and the needy by providing public facilities to serve the elderly and the disabled, enhancing the country’s readiness as an aging society; improving healthcare services, providing aid, education, benefits and job search services for the needy and the disabled; encouraging the elderly to be a productive part society under the concept that the elderly are highly experienced individuals who deserve to be a part of the country’s development process.
4.5.6 Reduce damage and loss from road accidents to the minimum. Promote understanding on traveling and using transportation safely. Putting His Majesty the King’s principles on solving traffic problems into action and making it a national agenda to strictly implement these principles in all parts of the country.
5. Policy on Land, Natural Resources and the Environment
5.1 Protection and conservation of forests and wildlife resources through expediting afforestation and prevention of illegal logging and poaching; expediting land survey and demarcation; amendment of the five forest-related laws in accordance with the Constitution, so as to promote sustainable and people-oriented management of community forests, national parks and animal preservation areas; creating incentives and promoting opportunities for income generation from the conservation of forests; reforestation in accordance with His Majesty the King’s guidance; building of check dams; prevention of forest fires; promoting the conservation, use and equitable benefit sharing of bioresources; and, utilizing information technology for better resource management.
5.2 Protection and conservation of marine and coastal resources through local involvement in marine reef and grass rehabilitation; increasing mangrove forests and amendment of relevant regulations to allow for their productive use; more people-oriented management of protected marine areas and national marine parks; expediting declaration of protected marine and coastal areas in vital ecological areas; protection of marine biodiversity; improvement and expansion of coastal fishing areas; limiting and banning of the use of destructive fishing gear; enhancement of maritime security; amendment of laws relating to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; and, addressing the problem of coastal erosion in a scientific manner.
5.3 Taking care of the environment and expediting pollution control through amendment of environment-related laws; enhancement of processes pertaining to environmental assessment at the strategic level, environmental impact and health impact assessments; facilitate civil society
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access to the environment fund; enacting laws relating to environment-based civil society organizations; reduction of air pollution, waste, waste water and noise pollution arising from production and consumption, in particular by accelerating the construction of urban, agricultural and industrial waste water treatment facilities for a systematic and environmentally friendly management of waste, hazardous waste and air pollution, as well as empowering local administrations in the management of waste and waste water in the community; promotion of urban development and encourage activities to reduce greenhouse gases with the goal of making Thailand a low carbon society with appropriate regulations that strike a balance between industrial development and environmental conservation; and, implementation of the polluter pays scheme and under the principle of repaying the ecosystem in a concrete manner.
5.4 Ensuring fairness and reducing inequality in land and natural resources utilization through land management reform with just and sustainable distribution of land rights through taxation measures and the establishment of a land bank for low-income people and small scale farmers; considering making unutilized state land available for productive use by the people; protection of public lands and grazing lands; prohibiting blockage of access to public beaches; pushing forward laws acknowledging the rights of local communities in the management of resources, land, water, forests and the sea; reforming the judicial process on natural resources and the environment; and, resolving pending environmental cases against low-income people.
5.5 Promoting and raising public awareness and consciousness on natural resources and the environment through information dissemination and encouraging behavioral modification towards production and consumption of environmentally friendly products and services; support for volunteer networks; cooperation between public and private agencies and organizations; and, compliance with international obligations, leading to increased efficiency and effectiveness in natural resources and environmental management.
5.6 Promoting comprehensive water management through efficient above and below ground water management at the national level with due consideration given to the potential of river basins; procure and allocate water to meet the demands by integrating the country’s twenty-five river basins; encouraging on-farm water sources supplemented by efficient water diversion and irrigation networks based on commercial and consumption requirements in the locality.
5.7 Building immunity and readiness in confronting the effects of climate change and natural calamities through cultivating knowledge and developing a database on the effects of climate change; increasing local and national capability in forecasting natural catastrophes and calamities as a result
of climate change; developing a long-term strategy to combat natural calamities; encouraging and expediting early warning systems and preparedness for present day unpredictable climate conditions, in particular floods, tsunami, earthquakes and landslides, as a basis for combating changes in the long run; increasing local capacity in dealing with such events; and, conducting a study on the need to develop dams and sea walls to prevent Bangkok and the Central region from rising sea levels as a result of global warming and polar ice cap melting.
5.8 Developing the knowledge base on natural resources and environmental management through research and development of knowledge at the local and international levels; encouraging the use of resource and environmentally friendly technologies; recruiting scientific personnel in the natural resources and environmental fields at the provincial and local administrative levels; building networks between researchers and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge and best practices; encouraging natural resources management to ensure food security, as well as improving soil quality and preventing further erosion; and, conducting studies and defining a strategy on the sustainable use of natural resources, including the study to preserve ancient fossil remains.
6. Policy on Science, Technology, Research and Innovation
6.1 Expedite the development of a knowledge-based society by developing the population’s general scientific knowledge to match international standards; provide more public knowledge resources through physical means such as science museums and publications and virtual means through the information technology network; and, raise standards on science and technology educational at all levels.
6.2 Expedite the production of scientists, researchers and science teachers to match the demands of the country in order to support national development and pave the way for Thailand’s transformation into an innovative knowledge-based economy; support professional advancement of researchers and make available opportunities for researchers both in the public and private sectors.
6.3 Promote investment and cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as higher education institutions to foster research and development and technology transfer in support of economic and social development which encompasses the development of local wisdom, agriculture, industrial and service sectors, especially in areas that are vital to national development, such as biodiversity, and in which Thailand possesses high potential.
6.4 Increase efficiency of the research management system through forming a cooperative network of relevant agencies, research institutes and higher education institutions to reduce duplication and enhance capacity; formulating a Master Plan with the objective of clarifying research objectives and placing emphasis on creating a comprehensive research plan, from basic research to its application to a finished product, thus maximizing the value chain; and, promoting investment in research with a view to reaching a level equivalent to 2% of the Gross Domestic Product.
6.5 Promote the use of space technology and geo-informatics to support natural resources management, agricultural production planning, disaster prevention and relief, raising the standard of living and enhancing national competitiveness.
7. Policy on Foreign Affairs and International Economic
7.1 Expedite the promotion and development of relations with neighboring countries by enhancing cooperation between the public sector, private sector, people and the mass media in order to cultivate mutual understanding and instill closeness among all sectors which will lead to expanded cooperation in the areas of economics, trade, investment, tourism promotion, transportation and others under sub-regional frameworks so as to promote good neighborly relations.
7.2 Create unity and promote cooperation among ASEAN countries in order to realize the goal of creating an ASEAN Community, as well as promote cooperation with other countries in Asia through various cooperative frameworks, and prepare all sectors for the move towards becoming an ASEAN Community by 2015 in the economic, socio-cultural and security areas.
7.3 Take on a creative role and promote the national interest in international organizations, specifically at the United Nations and regional organizations in order to preserve peace and security, promote the democratic process, human rights, humanitarianism, the environment and sustainable development, as well as cooperate to address all transnational issues that affect human security.
7.4 Strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership with countries, groups of countries and international organizations that play important roles in global affairs in order to boost confidence in Thailand, as well as build capacity and immunity for the Thai economy.
7.5 Encourage people-to-people contacts with foreign countries, as well as promote a positive image and technical assistance with
developing countries so that people, governments and the international community will have positive attitudes toward the Thai people and Thailand.
7.6 Promote public awareness and understanding of border issues and global changes that affect Thailand so as to forge consensus in the formulation and implementation of foreign policy.
7.7 Support ‘People Diplomacy’ to safeguard the interests of Thai nationals, as well as protect Thai nationals and Thai workers abroad, specifically those employed and living overseas, in addition to strengthening and promoting the role of Thai communities in preserving their Thai identity.
7.8 Utilize regional connectivity within the ASEAN region and sub-regions in order to expand the economic base in terms of production and investment, prioritizing the development of provinces and groups of provinces situated along the economic corridors and border areas.
7.9 Coordinate the work of government agencies overseas in accordance with the ‘Team Thailand’ policy in order to carry out foreign affairs efficiently, effectively and with high quality.
7.10 Promote close cooperation with Muslim countries and Islamic international organizations to create a correct understanding that Thailand is working on resolving the issue of the Southern Border Provinces, as an important internal issue, by following His Majesty the King’s advice to ‘Understand, Reach Out and Develop’.
8. Policy on Good Governance
8.1 Efficiency in the Administration of State Affairs
8.1.1 Continuously develop the public sector with emphasis on strategy-driven administration at the national level and using a result-based approach. Utilize information technology for efficient planning and decision- making. This will enable the functions and missions of public agencies to be more streamlined, efficient, offer value for money and suitable to the circumstances, whether they are regular responsibilities or special assignments, as well as adaptable to changes, while offering maximum benefits arising from people-centric public services.
8.1.2 Continuously improve the efficiency of the administrative system in an integrated manner. Improve the performance of the public sector and government agencies. Develop and support a more flexible and active administration structure and system. Improve and make public service provision more proactive, including by increasing the number of one-stop service centers providing a wider range of services and joint service centers, as well as a comprehensive e-Government system. Emphasize knowledge management and
develop the public sector and government agencies to become learning organizations, with innovation in cost-effective and efficient operations.
8.1.3 Develop and support the public sector’s personnel administration system that adheres to the principles of good governance and moral integrity in terms of performance assessment. The system should also ensure employment stability based on knowledge, ability and performance of public duties. Improve and instill positive attitudes, thinking processes and working methods among civil servants and public officials to deliver more efficient public services.
8.1.4 Continuously develop the proficiency of civil servants and public officials to perform their duties and deliver public services. Emphasize capacity building for civil servants in key positions relevant to the national development strategy and create change-leaders in the public sector. Improve the quality of life of civil servants and public officials to enable them to live with dignity, especially junior civil servants and public officials whose salaries will be adjusted to a level that can cover living expenses, family expenses, as well as maintain the pride of being public officials.
8.1.5 Strengthen moral standards, ethics and good governance for civil servants and public officials. Increase transparency in public agencies. Make determined efforts to prevent and suppress corruption and misconduct among civil servants and public officials in order to gain people’s trust and confidence, with the participation of civil society and communities, by legislative revisions to make high-ranking and influential civil servants and public officials, including from independent entities, publicly declare their assets and liabilities for the sake of transparency, as well as provide more opportunities for public scrutiny. Develop and employ more social measures in tandem with enforcing laws to prevent and suppress corruption and misconduct. Encourage social values that support adherence to loyalty, honesty, equality and righteousness.
8.1.6 Support local administrative organization to adopt efficient and transparent systems, enabling them to deliver public services that respond to people’s needs and expectations. Encourage local administrative bodies to work together to jointly provide certain public services, taking into account necessity, suitability and potential of each particular locality. Integrate and synergize actions with community plans and other local plans as a basis to promote and strengthen democracy at the local level. Improve management of the central, regional and local bodies. Increase the proficiency of local budgetary and personnel administration in order to provide local authorities with an appropriate level of income and efficient personnel management conducive to providing a good public service. Propose laws to strengthen local authorities as stipulated in the Constitution, Section 14: Local Administration.
8.1.7 Enhance transparency of the public sector by establishing inspection and performance assessment systems, based on moral
and ethical standards, as well as value for money. Develop follow-up processes, provide information, and improve the procurement systems and state fiscal spending to ensure honesty and effiency.
8.1.8 Encourage people to take part in the public administration process by participating in economic and social development policy-making and planning at the national and local levels. Encourage people to express views on important issues through the use of information technology, in order to efficiently implement policies to meet agreed objectives. Provide the public with access to information, as well as encourage them to communicate views, problems and solutions, and participate in decision-making processes.
8.1.9 Promote good corporate governance in the private sector, especially transparency in the audit system. Encourage the private sector to firmly uphold their responsibilities to clients, customers, stakeholders, society and the environment. Strengthen society through consumer protection in order to ensure fairness as well as prevent unfair competition whether direct or indirect.
8.2 Law and Justice
8.2.1 Reform the legal system and develop an up-to-date judicial process that is in line with democratic principles, the rule of law and is responsive to changes. Hasten the establishment of an independent body to implement legal reform in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution, and support the work of the committee on law and institutional reform to review the judicial system.
Reform the law enforcement process to ensure that government agencies implement the law efficiently, transparently, fairly and in accordance with the rule of law and relevant international human rights conventions; and, develop a single standard judicial system to help in build confidence building and facilitating investment, which is the core of the modern economic system.
8.2.2 Improve the assistance mechanisms for people suffering from injustice through proactive measures that enable them to access justice swiftly and easily, by providing legal aid, promoting the Justice Fund for the Poor and the Vulnerable, protecting the rights and freedom of people, providing redress to the innocent and victims of injustice, ensuring accessibility to justice at the provincial level, strengthening justice in communities and villages, and develop other alternatives within the judicial process.
8.2.3 Enhance efficiency of the investigation process, crime prevention and suppression; support usage of tax measures, as well as and preventive and suppressive measures against money laundering on the offenders; provide rehabilitation for offenders and help them reintegrate into society; enhance the efficiency of the judicial process for children and youth,
probation, enforcement of judgment and promote justice and fairness in the Southern Border Provinces.
8.2.4 Promote offensive crime prevention and suppression as well as encourage the public to get involved; set up a comprehensive administrative and management mechanism to analyze and forecast the possibility of crimes occurring in order to suppress and resolve crimes in a way that is in line with local needs; utilize information technology to maximize the efficiency of crime control; and, promote people’s participation in crime prevention, suppression and resolution by having relevant government agencies provide the public with access to information via different channels, including through the mass media.
8.3 Promote people’s opportunities to extensively, fairly, and promptly access public and official information, mass media and all other public media outlets
8.3.1 Promote and improve people’s access to information by utilizing information technology and the latest innovations, as well as promote the exchange of information between ASEAN’s mass media and global mass media.
8.3.2 Promote and improve mass communication technology and network, as well as amend laws that create obstacles to the modern media’s operation. Encourage the media to take a lead role in problem-solving and in the country’s development by increasing programs with contents that are beneficial to the people, such as education, arts, culture, moral, innovation, disaster warning or other programs that would be beneficial for the public, in coordination with the public and private sectors and the public.
8.3.3 Promote freedom and independence of all mass media outlets in presenting news and information with social responsibility and concern for professional ethics, and support impartiality in the news media.
Mr. President,
These government policies have been drafted with respect to the intention of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand under the Chapter 5 on the Directive Principles of Fundamental State Policies, and the determination of the Cabinet to resolve the problems the country is currently facing, especially the issue of regaining national unity and harmony in Thai society. The Cabinet will accelerate the administration of state affairs by providing an implementation plan, comprising a plan for state administration, action plans for respective government agencies, and a legislative enactment plan to serve as administrative references and guidelines. Nonetheless, should there be a need to adjust government policies owing to the ever-changing economic and social circumstances or
unanticipated events, the Government will report its intention to do so to the National Assembly.
The Government reassures the National Assembly that the Government will administer the affairs of the country with integrity, honesty and efficiency, and is determined to ensure prosperity, unity, harmony and justice in the country. The Government is willing to provide Thailand with the capacity to compete with pride on the international stage, and is ready the restore happiness of each and every Thai person.
Thank you.
ANNEX
Cabinet’s Administration Policy Topics in accordance with
the Directive Principles of Fundamental State Policies in Chapter 5 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand | Cabinet Policy | Page |
Section 77. | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented | 4 |
The State shall protect and uphold | in the First Year (1.1-1.2 and 1.5-1.6) | |
the institution of monarchy, independence, | 2. Policy on National Security | |
sovereignty and integrity of the territorial | 2.1 Uphold, protect and preserve the | 9 |
jurisdiction of the State and shall provide | institution of the monarchy | |
such armed forces, military weapons and | 2.2 Develop and strengthen the armed | 9 |
technology as are modern, necessary and | forces and national defense capability | |
sufficient for protecting and upholding | 2.3 Develop and strengthen international | 9 |
the independence, sovereignty, national | cooperation | |
security, the institution of monarchy, | 2.4 Develop a national preparedness | 9 |
national interests and the democratic | system | |
regime of government with the King as | 2.5 Expeditiously resolve the problems | 10 |
Head of the State and for the development | of drugs, organized crime, human | |
of the country. | trafficking, illegal immigrants, illegal | |
| foreign workers and individuals without | |
| legal status | |
Section 78. The State shall pursue directive principles of State policies in relation to the administration of the State affairs, as follows: (1) to carry out the administration of the State affairs in the direction of facilitating social and economic development and national security in a sustainable fashion, provided that the implementation of the self-sufficiency economy philosophy shall be promoted and prime regard shall be had to overall national interests; | 8. Policy on Good Governance 8.1 Efficiency in the Administration of State Affairs (8.1.1-8.1.2) | 31 |
(2) to organise the central, provincial and local administration to the effect of achieving boundaries, powers and duties and responsibilities that are clear and well suited to the national development, and enable a province to have a plan and a budget for its development in the interest of local residents; | 8. Policy on Good Governance 8.1 Efficiency in the Administration of State Affairs (8.1.2) | 31 |
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand | Cabinet Policy | Page |
(3) to carry out decentralisation under which local government organisations may attain self-dependence and self- determination, to promote local government organisations’ participation in the implementation of directive principles of fundamental State policies, to develop the economy of the localities and public utilities as well as facilities systems and information infrastructure of the localities thoroughly and equally throughout the country, and also develop into a large-sized local government organisation a province which is ready for such purpose, having regard to the will of the people in that province; | 8. Policy on Good Governance 8.1 Efficiency in the Administration of State Affairs (8.1.6) | 32 |
(4) to develop the working system in the public sector with particular emphasis on the development of the quality, conscience and ethics of State officials in tandem with the improvement of patterns and methods of work in order to achieve efficiency of the administration of the State affairs, and to promote the application of the good governance principle amongst State agencies; | 8. Policy on Good Governance 8.1 Efficiency in the Administration of State Affairs (8.1.3-8.1.5) | 32 |
(5) to organise the bureaucracy and | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented | 5 |
other affairs of the State to the effect that | in the First Year (1.3) | |
the provision and delivery of public services | 8. Policy on Good Governance | |
can be undertaken with rapidity, efficiency, | 8.1 Efficiency in the Administration | 32 |
transparency and accountability, having | of State Affairs (8.1.7-8.1.8) | |
regard to public participation; | | |
(6) to take action enabling law agencies which have legal duties to give opinions on the operation of the State and scrutinise the law-making of the State to perform their duties independently to ensure that the administration of State affairs shall be in compliance with the Rule of Law principle; | 8. Policy on Good Governance 8.2 Law and Justice (8.2.1) | 33 |
(7) to put in place a plan for political reform and to bring into existence an independent Political Reform Council for monitoring strict compliance with such plan; | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented in the First Year (1.16) | 8 |
(8) to take action enabling Government officials and State officials to receive appropriate fringe benefits. | 8. Policy on Good Governance 8.1 Efficiency in the Administration of State Affairs (8.1.4) | 32 |
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand | Cabinet Policy | Page |
Section 79. The State shall provide patronage and protection to Buddhism, which is the religion long practised by the majority of the Thai people, and other religions and shall promote good understanding and harmony amongst followers of all religions and encourage the application of religious precepts for the purpose of fostering conscience and developing the quality of life. | 4. Policy on Social and Quality of Life 4.4 Policy on Religions, Arts and Culture (4.4.1-4.4.2) | 24 |
Section 80. | | |
The State shall pursue directive | | |
principles of State policies in relation to | | |
social affairs, public health, education | | |
and cultural affairs, as follows: | | |
(1) to protect and develop children | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented | 7 |
and the youth, encourage their up-keep | in the First Year (1.8.3) | |
and primary education, promote the | 4. Policy on Social and Quality of Life | |
equality between women and men, foster | 4.3 Public Health Policy (4.3.5) | 24 |
and develop solidarity of the institution | 4.5 Life and Social Security (4.5.1-4.5.6) | 26 |
of family and the community as well as | | |
provide aids and welfare to the elderly, | | |
the indigent, the disabled, persons of | | |
infirmity and persons suffering a state of | | |
difficulty to enable their better quality of | | |
life and self-dependence; | | |
(2) to promote, support and develop | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented | 8 |
the health system based upon the fostering | in the First Year (1.14) | |
of health that leads to a sustainable state | 4. Policy on Social and Quality of Life | |
of happiness of the people, provide and | 4.3 Public Health Policy (4.3.1-4.3.7) | 23 |
promote public health services that meet | | |
the standard thoroughly and efficiently, | | |
promote participation by private individuals | | |
and communities in the development of | | |
health and the provision of public health | | |
services, provided that persons who, | | |
under the duty to provide such services, | | |
have performed the duty in accordance | | |
with the professional standard and ethics, | | |
shall be protected; | | |
(3) to develop the quality and | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented | 8 |
standard of the provision of education at | in the First Year (1.15) | |
all levels and in all forms in harmony | 4. Policy on Social and Quality of Life | |
with economic and social changes, bring | 4.1 Education Policy (4.1.1-4.1.7) | 21 |
into existence the national educational | | |
plan and the law aimed at the development | | |
of national education, provide the | | |
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand | Cabinet Policy | Page |
development of the quality of teachers and educational personnel to ensure such advancement as to keep pace with changes in the world community and instill into learners awareness of Thai values, disciplines, concerns for public interests and adherence to the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of the State; | | |
(4) to promote and support decentralisation in order to enable local government organisations, communities, religious organisations and private individuals to provide, and participate in the provision of, education with a view to developing the educational standard and quality comparable to and in line with directive principles of fundamental State policies; | 4. Policy on Social and Quality of Life 4.1 Education Policy (4.1.2 and 4.1.4) | 21 |
(5) promote and support studies and | 4. Policy on Social and Quality of Life | |
research in various branches of sciences | 4.1 Policy on Education (4.1.6) | 22 |
and disseminate information and results | 6. Policy on Science, Technology, | 29 |
of the studies and research works | Research and Innovation (6.3-6.4) | |
undertaken under financial sponsorship | | |
from the State; | | |
(6) promote and support fraternality | 2. Policy on National Security | |
and learning and implant attentiveness | 2.1 Uphold, protect and preserve the | 9 |
about and disseminate arts, culture and | institution of the monarchy | |
traditions and customs of the nation, | 4. Policy on Social and Quality of Life | |
including decent tastes and local knowledge. | 4.4 Policy on Religions, Arts and Culture | 25 |
| (4.4.3-4.4.7) | |
Section 81. The State shall pursue directive principles of State policies in relation to legislation and the administration of justice, as follows: (1) to ensure compliance with and enforcement of the law in a correct, speedy, fair and comprehensive manner, promote the provision of legal aids and dissemination of legal knowledge to the public, organise the bureaucracy and other affairs of the State in the sphere of the administration of justice to meet efficiency, whereby the public and professional organisations may have due participation in the administration of justice and the provision of legal aids to the public; | 8. Policy on Good Governance 8.2 Law and Justice (8.2.1-8.2.2) | 33 |
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand | Cabinet Policy | Page |
(2) to protect rights and liberties of the people against violation by State officials and other persons, provided that the administration of justice shall be offered to all people on the basis of equality; | 8. Policy on Good Governance 8.2 Law and Justice (8.2.2) | 33 |
(3) to bring into existence the law establishing an independent law reform agency to be in charge of the revision and development of law of the country, including the revision of laws in the implementation of the Constitution, provided that opinions of those affected from such laws shall also be heard; | 8. Policy on Good Governance 8.2 Law and Justice (8.2.1) | 33 |
(4) to bring into existence the law establishing an independent justice- administration reform organisation to be in charge of revision and development of the operation of agencies concerned with the administration of justice; | 8. Policy on Good Governance 8.2 Law and Justice (8.2.1) | 33 |
(5) support the operation of organisations in the private sector providing legal aids to the public, in particular to those affected by family violence. | 8. Policy on Good Governance 8.2 Law and Justice (8.2.2) | 33 |
Section 82. | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented | 6 |
The State shall promote relations and | in the First Year (1.6) | |
co-operation with other countries and shall | 7. Policy on Foreign Affairs and | 30 |
adhere to the equal treatment principle | International Economic Policy | |
and comply with treaties related to | (7.1-7.10) | |
human rights to which Thailand becomes | | |
a party as well as international obligations | | |
made with other countries and international | | |
organisations. | | |
The State shall promote trade, investment | | |
and tourism with other countries and | | |
accord protection to and take care of | | |
interests of the Thai people in foreign | | |
countries. | | |
Section 83. The State shall promote and give support to the implementation of the self-sufficiency economy philosophy. | The introductory statement which stipulated the principles underlying policy implementation. | 4 |
Section 84. | | |
The State shall pursue directive | | |
principles of State policies in relation to | | |
economy, as follows: | | |
(1) to promote a free and fair economy | 3. Policy on Economic | |
based upon market force and encourage | 3.1 Macroeconomic Policy (3.1.6-3.1.7) | 11 |
sustainable economic development | 3.3 Economic Restructuring Policy | 17 |
through repealing and refraining from | (3.3.4) | |
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand | Cabinet Policy | Page |
enacting business-controlling laws and regulations which do not correspond to the economic necessity, and not to engage in an enterprise which is, in essence, in competition with the private sector unless it is necessary for the purpose of maintaining national security, safeguarding public interests or providing public utilities; | | |
(2) to promote the application of | 3. Policy on Economic | |
righteousness, ethics and good governance | 3.1 Macroeconomic Policy (3.1.3) | 10 |
in tandem with the operation of business; | 8. Policy on Good Governance | |
| 8.1 Efficiency in the Administration | 33 |
| of State Affairs (8.1.9) | |
(3) to ensure the application of fiscal and financial disciplines with a view to promoting economic and social stability and security of the country and revise taxation systems to achieve fairness and in conformity with changes in economic and social conditions; | 3. Policy on Economic 3.1 Macroeconomic Policy (3.1.3-3.1.5) | 10 |
(4) to provide savings for the people and State officials for their living at the old age; | 3. Policy on Economic 3.1 Macroeconomic Policy (3.1.2) | 10 |
(5) to oversee the operation of businesses and ensure their free and fair competition, prevent direct and indirect monopolies and protect consumers; | 3. Policy on Economic 3.3 Economic Restructuring Policy (3.3.4) | 17 |
(6) to ensure fair distribution of | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented | 6 |
income, protect, promote and expand | in the First Year (1.8-1.11 and 1.13) | |
opportunities for businesses of the people | 3. Policy on Economic | |
with a view to economic development, | 3.1 Macroeconomic Policy (3.1.1-3.1.2 | 10 |
promote and encourage the development | and 3.1.7) | |
of local knowledge and Thai wisdom for | 3.3 Economic Restructuring Policy | 14 |
use in the production of goods, services | (3.3.2-3.3.3) | |
and the handling of the occupation; | | |
(7) to promote jobs for the | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented | 6 |
working-age population, protect child | in the First Year (1.8.2) | |
and woman labour, organise labour | 3. Policy on Economic | |
relations and the tripartite system under | 3.2. Policy on Income Generation | 12 |
which employees may elect their | (3.2.7) | |
representatives, organise the social | 4. Policy on Social and Quality of Life | |
security system and provide protection to | 4.2 Labor Policy (4.2.1-4.2.7) | 23 |
the effect that employees doing the work | | |
of the same value should receive fair | | |
remuneration, fringe benefits and welfare | | |
without discrimination; | | |
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand | Cabinet Policy | Page |
(8) to protect and maintain interests | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented | 6 |
of farmers in the production and marketing, | in the First Year (1.8.1 and 1.11) | |
promote agricultural products towards | 3. Policy on Economic | |
achieving highest prices and promote the | 3.3 Economic Restructuring Policy | 12 |
association of farmers in the form of | (3.3.1) | |
farmers’ councils for making planning on | | |
farming and preserving common interests | | |
of farmers; | | |
(9) to promote, support and protect co-operatives systems so as to achieve autonomy and do so with respect to the occupational or professional association as well as the association of people for undertaking economic affairs; | 3. Policy on Economic 3.1 Macroeconomic Policy (3.1.2) | 10 |
(10) to provide basic public utilities necessary for the livelihood of the public in the interest of maintaining national security in the economic dimension and take action to prevent basic public utilities necessary for the livelihood of the public from being monopolised by private individuals in a manner likely to cause detrimental effects on the State; | 3. Policy on Economic 3.4 Policy on Infrastructure, Rail Transport System Development and Management of Goods and Services Transportation (3.4.1-3.4.2) | 18 |
(11) any act causing a State-owned | 3. Policy on Economic | |
infrastructure or a basic network of basic | 3.4 Policy on Infrastructure, Rail | 18 |
public utilities necessary for the livelihood | Transport System Development and | |
of the public or for national security to be | Management of Goods and Services | |
owned by private individuals or to be | Transportation (3.4.1) | |
owned in a proportion of less than fifty | 3.6 Policy on Information Technology | 20 |
one percent shall not be permitted; | (3.6.3) | |
(12) to promote and provide support to the maritime business, rail carriage as well as transportation logistics, both domestically and internationally; | 3. Policy on Economic 3.4 Policy on Infrastructure, Rail Transport System Development and Management of Goods and Services Transportation (3.4.4-3.4.6) | 18 |
(13) to promote and provide support to private organisations in the economic sphere at national and local levels with a view to their strength; | 3. Policy on Economic 3.2. Policy on Income Generation (3.2.4-3.2.6 and 3.2.8) | 9 |
(14) to promote the agricultural-product | 3. Policy on Economic | |
processing industry to generate economic | 3.2. Policy on Income Generation | 12 |
added values. | (3.2.7) | |
| 3.3 Economic Restructuring Policy | 14 |
| (3.3.2) | |
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand | Cabinet Policy | Page |
Section 85. | | |
The State shall pursue directive | | |
principles of State policies in relation to | | |
land, natural resources and the environment, | | |
as follows: | | |
(1) to prescribe rules on land use | 5. Policy on Land, Natural Resources | |
which cover areas throughout the country, | and the Environment | |
having regard to the consistency with | 5.1 Protection and conservation of | 27 |
natural surroundings, whether land areas, | forests and wildlife resources | |
water surfaces, ways of life of local | 5.2 Protection and conservation of | 27 |
residents, and the efficient preservation | marine and coastal resources | |
of natural resources, and prescribe | | |
standards for sustainable land use, | | |
provided that residents in areas affected | | |
by such rules on land use shall also have | | |
due participation in the decision-making; | | |
(2) to distribute land holding in a fair manner, enable farmers to have ownership or rights in land for farming purposes thoroughly through land reform or otherwise, and provide water resources for sufficient use of water by farmers in a manner suitable for farming; | 5. Policy on Land, Natural Resources and the Environment 5.4 Ensuring fairness and reducing inequality in land and natural resources utilization | 28 |
(3) to provide town and country planning and carry out the development and action in the implementation of town and country plans in an efficient and effective manner in the interest of sustainable preservation of natural resources; | 5. Policy on Land, Natural Resources and the Environment 5.4 Ensuring fairness and reducing inequality in land and natural resources utilization | 28 |
(4) to provide a plan for managing | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented | 5 |
water resources and other natural resources | in the First Year (1.4) | |
systematically and in a manner generating | 5. Policy on Land, Natural Resources | |
public interests, provided that the public shall | and the Environment | |
have due participation in the preservation, | 5.6 Promoting Comprehensive Water | 28 |
maintenance and exploitation of natural | Management | |
resources and biological diversity in a | | |
balanced fashion; | | |
(5) promote, maintain and protect | 5. Policy on Land, Natural Resources | |
the quality of natural resources in accordance | and the Environment | |
with the sustainable development principle, | 5.3 Taking care of the environment and | 27 |
control and eradiate polluted conditions | expediting pollution control | |
affecting health, sanitary conditions, | 5.5 Promoting and raising public | 28 |
welfare and the quality of life of the | awareness and consciousness on | |
public, provided that members of the | natural resources and the environment | |
public, local residents and local government | | |
organisations shall have due participation | | |
in determining the direction of such work. | | |
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand | Cabinet Policy | Page |
Section 86. | | |
The State shall pursue directive | | |
principles of State policies in relation to | | |
science, intellectual property and energy, | | |
as follows: | | |
(1) to promote the development in | 3. Policy on Economic | |
various branches of science, technology | 3.6 Information Technology Policy | 20 |
and innovation by bringing into existence | (3.6.1-3.6.5) | |
specific law for this purpose, providing | 6. Policy on Science, Technology, | 29 |
budgets in support of studies and research, | Research and Innovation (6.1-6.5) | |
putting in place institutions dedicated to | | |
studies and development and putting | | |
forth the utilisation of results of studies | | |
and development, efficient transfers of | | |
technology and the appropriate development | | |
of personnel, and disseminate modern | | |
knowledge in science and technology as | | |
well as encourage the public to apply | | |
scientific principles to their livelihood; | | |
(2) to promote inventions or | 3. Policy on Economic | |
discoveries leading to new knowledge, | 3.3 Economic Restructuring Policy | 17 |
preserve and develop local knowledge | (3.3.4) | |
and Thai wisdom and protect intellectual | 6. Policy on Science, Technology, | 29 |
property; | Research and Innovation (6.3) | |
(3) to promote and lend support to | 3. Policy on Economic | |
research and development and make use | 3.2. Policy on Income Generation | 11 |
of alternative energy that is naturally acquired | (3.2.3) | |
and advantageous to the environment in a | 3.3 Economic Restructuring Policy | 14 |
continued and systematic manner. | (3.3.2) | |
| 3.5 Energy Policy (3.5.1-3.5.5) | 19 |
| 6. Policy on Science, Technology, | 30 |
| Research and Innovation (6.4) | |
Section 87. The State shall pursue directive principles of State policies in relation to public participation, as follows: (1) to promote public participation in the determination of policies and plans for economic and social development at both national and local levels; | 8. Policy on Good Governance 8.1 Efficiency in the Administration of State Affairs (8.1.8) | 33 |
(2) to promote and lend support to public participation in political decision- making, the planning of economic and social development and the provision of public services; | 8. Policy on Good Governance 8.1 Efficiency in the Administration of State Affairs (8.1.8) | 33 |
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand | Cabinet Policy | Page |
(3) to promote and lend support to | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented | 8 |
public participation in the scrutiny of the | in the First Year (1.16) | |
exercise of the State powers at all levels | 8. Policy on Good Governance | |
in the form of varying professional | 8.1 Efficiency in the Administration of | 33 |
organisations or occupational groups or | State Affairs (8.1.8) | |
in other forms, | | |
(4) to promote political strength of the public, put forth the law establishing a civic fund for political development for assisting the operation of public activities of localities and lend support to the operation of civic groups forming networks in all forms in order for those groups to be able to express opinions and propose demands of localities in their areas; | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented in the First Year (1.16) | 8 |
(5) to promote and provide to the public education on political development and the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of the State and promote honest and fair voting by the public at an election. Public participation under this section is founded upon the consideration of close proportion between men and women. | 1. Urgent Policies to be Implemented in the First Year (1.16) | 8 |
Website: http://www.cabinet.thaigov.go.th/eng/bb_main31.htm
First edition: August 2011
Number of Copies: 2,500
Printed by: Cabinet and Royal Gazette Publishing Office
Publisher: Mrs. Oranuch Kanoksirirat
BOCA Code: BOCA 54/08-11
ISBN: 978-974-261-157-6