April 2005 : Additional 50 Billion Baht Approved The House of Reps. Approved an additional expenditure budget of 50 billion baht for the current fiscal year. The government proposed a plan to regulate mobile phone SIM cards in the 3 southernmost provinces and approved an administrative plan for 2005-2008. 41 Laws passed the parliament. Additional budget approved The House, on 20 April, approved a draft additional expenditure budget bill of 50 billion baht with 290 to 56 votes while 11 abstained and 2 no votes. The budget, expecting to gain from over-target tax collection, will be used to cushion financial ramifications to sustain key government policies and measures in 5 major strategies; 1.17 billion baht to supplement the emergency fund already allocated. 2. 15 billion baht to earmark for sustaining provincial development plans under the CEO government strategy. 3. 9.4 billion baht to spend on the small-medium-and-large villages project. 4. 4 billion baht to spend on the on-going poverty eradication programs. 5. 4.6 billion baht to tackle draught-related problems. The House appointed a 35 members extraordinary panel to deliberate the bill within 7 days, if passed, the bill will be sent to the Senate for approval before enactment. Control on SIM cards 2 options were proposed by the meeting chaired by Deputy PM Chaturon Chaisaeng in controlling prepaid SIM cards of mobile phones to prevent trigger bombing in the 3 southern provinces as follow, 1] to regulate through enforcement of new law 2] to use current consumer’s act B.E. 2495 as regulation. The government will primarily seek cooperation from mobile phone operators, starting from May 10, to ask new SIM purchase for identification card and asked the current 21.5 users to report within 6 months, if fail, their signal will be disconnected. Explosion lately took place in had Yai airport and several places causing some lives and injuries hammering violence in the south. Cabinet agreed on administration plan The cabinet, on April 12, approved a draft plan on national administration between 2005-2008 which will be implemented by all responsible agencies. The plan are divided into 3 main areas 1] concepts, visions and policies on national environment and circumstance 2] 9 strategic plan 3] measures of implementation through public agencies, legislation, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation. Enactment of 41 laws The parliament meeting on April 21 passed 41 draft bills on telecommunication, universities, bankruptcy, public official pension and community forest ect.