Weekly Press Briefing by MFA Spokesperson on Thursday, 5 May 2022

Weekly press briefing by MFA spokesperson
on Thursday, 5 May 2022 at 11:00 hours
at Press Conference Room, MFA and via MFA Facebook Live

1. The Official Visit to Thailand by the Prime Minister of Japan (1-2 May 2022)

• H.E. Mr. Kishida Fumio, PM of Japan, paid an official visit to Thailand as guest of the Royal Thai Government and met with the PM of Thailand on 2 May 2022. Important outcomes of the meeting are as follows:
• On economic cooperation, the two PMs expressed the determination to finalize and announce the entry into effect of the 5-Year Joint Strategic Plan on Thailand-Japan Strategic Economic Partnership within this year to serve as a roadmap to steer forward economic relations in potential areas of interest. They reaffirmed their determination to promote investment by Japan in Thailand's targeted industries, particularly in electric vehicles or EVs, smart electronics, pharmaceuticals, digital and Bio-Circular-Green economy (BCG) in various parts of Thailand, including the investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
• Both sides reaffirmed on synergizing between Thailand's BCG Economy model and Japan's Green Growth Strategy and cooperation in human resource development to accommodate Japan's investment, the energy cooperation to achieve the target of Carbon Neutrality. PM of Japan emphasized that Thailand is Japan's largest manufacturing hub in the region and Japan is ready to cooperate with Thailand to develop various economic sectors.
• On political and security cooperation, the two PMs agreed to enhance security, defense and judicial cooperation as well as technical cooperation in third countries, including the development of the Mekong sub-region, as well as to promote cooperation in potential areas under the ASEAN-Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
• On regional and international issues, both PMs exchanged views on regional and international situation, including the situation in Myanmar, Ukraine, South China Sea, East China Sea, Korean Peninsula, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform as well as the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
• PM of Japan reaffirmed the readiness to attend the APEC Economic Leaders Week in November and to support Thailand in hosting a successful meeting.
• Both PMs witnessed the signing of three documents, namely:
  (1) Exchange of Notes on financial cooperation between the Royal Thai Government and the Government of Japan; (2) Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of Japan Concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology; and (3) Exchange of Notes regarding the grant by the Government of Japan under the Programme for COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support.
• Further details and PM's statement for the joint press conference can be found on MFA's website.

(https://www.mfa.go.th/th/content/pmjapanofficialvisit02052565?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c306000683b)

1. Updates on Thailand Pass System and new entry measures into Thailand by land travel (effective from 1 May 2022 onwards)

• From 29 April - 4 May 2022, 00.00 hrs, the total number of travelers registered through the "Thailand Pass" website under new entry measures is 201,141 persons - 190,854 of which have been approved. While the number of travelers entering Thailand by air during 1-3 May stands at 59,019 (9,248 Thai nationals and 46,704 foreigners). This has been a good sign for post COVID-19 economic recovery in Thailand.
• CCSA has announced new entry measures by land which are divided into 2 categories of travelers as follows:

(1) Passport holders, need to register on the Thailand Pass website land.tp.consular.go.th and present the required documents:

- Passport
- Certificate of vaccination or RT-PCR result issued within 72 hours before departure (need to upload on Thailand Pass)

- Proof of insurance with at least 10,000 USD coverage for medical treatment in Thailand (for non-Thai nationals)

- For unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated persons, need to show AQ hotel confirmation for 5-days quarantine including RT-PCR test on day 4-5

(2) Border Pass holders, do NOT have to register on Thailand Pass

- Do NOT need proof of insurance

- Must provide proof of complete vaccination at the border checkpoint

- Travel is permitted only in the area stipulated by the agreements between the two countries

- Period of stay for non-Thai nationals who hold border passes must NOT exceed 3 days

* Travelers whose Thailand Pass have already been issued, can travel with the issued QR Code and do not need to register for a new Thailand Pass.

** From 1 May onwards, 17 provinces in Thailand are ready to operate land border travel (from total of 22 provinces that have permanent border checkpoints).

1. The 34th ASEAN-Australia Forum (28 Apr. 2022)

• DPS of MFA, Chulamanee Chartsuwan participated in the 34th ASEAN-Australia Forum via video conference. The Meeting was co-chaired by Australia and the Lao PDR, as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations.

• The Meeting underscored the importance of comprehensive COVID-19 recovery and strengthening cooperation under the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). The Meeting welcomed the finalization of an Annex to the Plan of Action between ASEAN and Australia which reflected further substantive cooperation between both sides under the CSP. In addition, the Meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
• DPS Chulamanee led the discussion on enhancing ASEAN-Australia cooperation in connectivity and sustainable development. She suggested ASEAN and Australia should promote concrete cooperation in green and sustainable infrastructure development, enhancing supply chain efficiency and digital connectivity, as well as explore cooperation in areas related to sustainable development and Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG), especially through the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue in Thailand.

1. Joint Press Release of the Foreign Ministries of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, and the Kingdom of Thailand (5 May 2022)

• The Foreign Ministries of Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand issued the Joint Press Release on the occasion of hosting 3 important leaders' meetings in the Southeast Asia region this year namely; ASEAN and Related Summits, G20 Summit, and APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
• ASEAN, under the banner "ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together", commits to address the common challenges and to sustain the dynamism of ASEAN Community building as well as to strengthen ASEAN resilience in the face of global uncertainties and to maintain ASEAN central role in the regional architecture. And accelerating efforts to recover from COVID-19 impacts.
• The G20, with its theme of "Recover Together, Recover Stronger. Indonesia is committed to ensure the G20 is relevant not only for its members but also for the world at large, particularly developing countries. Three priority areas have been identified, namely, strengthening global health architecture, digital transformation, and energy transitions.
• APEC, under the theme of "Open. Connect. Balance." reflects the common goal and commitment of member economies to address the enormous challenges arising from the pandemic and conflicts. As the host economy, Thailand calls for a refreshed conversation on the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific, advocates a safe and seamless return to travel, and emphasizes inclusivity and sustainability, through the application of the bio-circular-green economic model, as pivotal elements to recover from the COVID-19.
• As Chairs of these important meetings this year, the three countries are determined to work with all partners and stakeholders to ensure a spirit of cooperation, as we in Southeast Asia continue to strengthen ASEAN centrality, credibility and relevance in maintaining peace and stability in our regional and global endeavours.

1. APEC Second Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM2) and Related Meetings, (9 - 19 May 2022)

• Thailand will host the APEC Second Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM2) and related meetings in physical format on 9-19 May 2022 in Bangkok. The SOM2 meeting cluster will consist of over 20 meetings, ranging from the working group discussions on issues such as human resource development, bridging the digital divide, and automotive industry development, to APEC senior officials' meetings where APEC 2022's key deliverables will be deliberated. Over 250 APEC delegates are expected to join the meetings in Bangkok while over 200 will participate online.
• The meetings will further advance the three key objectives which Thailand has set out to achieve when taking on the role of APEC 2022 host in November 2021, as follows:
  • A refreshed conversation on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP)to bring new momentum to the FTAAP agenda in the post-COVID-19 context. SOM2 will pave the way for APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting and the MRT Public-Private Dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), to be held back-to-back with SOM2 on 21-22 May 2022. The outcome document from the MRT meeting will be the first key deliverable achieved under Thailand's APEC host year.
  • Reconnecting the region safely and seamlessly,Thailand will lead the discussion to put in place an APEC one-stop travel information portal and the interoperability between economies' vaccination certification verification systems. The second APEC Safe Passage Taskforce will be convened during SOM2 and will continue to push forward the proposal to expand the scope of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) to cover a broader range of businesses such as MSMEs and mid-level managers.
  • To accelerate APEC's work on sustainability through the BCG Economy conceptThailand will continue its work towards the "Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy", a stand-alone leaders' document which is to be endorsed at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok in November 2022. During SOM2, the Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy Dedicated Session will be held to discuss the draft of the proposed Bangkok Goals, including goals on climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable trade and investment, sustainable management of resources, and waste management.

1. Announcement of the Time change for the legalization services at Pathum Wan (MBK Center) and Phuket Passport Office

• From 2^nd May 2022 onwards, "Pathum Wan (MBK Center) and Phuket Passport Office" will change the legalization service hours to "10.00 - 15.30 hrs." from Monday - Friday (except public holidays).

1. Thai Winner of Logo Design and Tagline for 30^th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Relations

• On 14 Apr. 2022, the logo design and tagline "Community of Values" by "Khun Bew Thanakron Khumkhrua" from Thailand was announced the First Prize winner of the ASEAN-India Logo Design and Tagline for the 30^th Anniversary of ASEAN-India relations, from more than 1,000 entries.
• The logo design will be used for commemorative events and activities planned to celebrate the ASEAN-India Friendship Year throughout this year.
• On 26 Apr. 2022, the Indian Permanent Mission to ASEAN hosted a reception and unveiled the Winner of the Logo Design and Tagline Competition. Ambassador Urawadee Sriphiromya, Permanent Representative of Thailand to ASEAN also witnessed the launch of the Winning Logo.

Weekly Press Briefing: https://fb.watch/bwhcOQY0qK/

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Press Division
Department of Information

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