February 2017 : 39 Advising Experts to the Government Appointed 39 advising experts to the government’s super-committee appointed PM revoked Krabi coal power plant EIA-EHIA G-2-G rice pledge loss resolved Long term election strategies planned Civil services need proficient and experts 5 December continues to be national holiday Health care rights in social security increases Royal endorsement on 3 new NLA members Tourism sector shared 2.51 trillion baht in 2016 economy 39 advising experts appointed On 23 February, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha appointed 39 advising experts to the government super-committee. They are to give advices on strategic administration, national reform, national strategy and reconciliation building. They came from private sectors, academicians, retired bureaucrats and NGOs. Krabi coal power plant EIA-EHIA revoked On 26 February, the Prime Minister ordered the Energy Ministry, to inform the Electricity Generating authority of Thailand (EGAT) to annul the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) of the Krabi coal power plant, reasoning public participation process that should be conducted with transparency. Previously on 17 February, the National Energy Policy board committee has just resolved the Krabi coal power should continue due to its clean coal function, safety and worthy. G-2-G rice pledge loss resolved The Legal Execution Department of the Justice Ministry disclosed a consensus agreement made on 11 February with the Commerce Ministry’s Department of Foreign Trade that 6 persons including former Commerce Minister Boonsong Jetriyapirom are responsible on the 20 billion baht loss from the corrupted G-2-G trading in the Rice Pledge Program. Their asset must be frozen and put on auction to pay the compensation. The petition would be launched to the Civil Court where prescription period is 10 years. EC unveiled long term election strategies The Election Commission has resolved on 5 strategies on election in the following 20 years plan that: Election should be carried out worthwhile and convenient to the voters. The investigation process should be developed and management must be acceptable and transparency. People should be encouraged to participate, supervise and check in every step. Political parties and organs must be promoted and strengthen. To become a professional organ, the Office of Election Commission must have capable resources and efficient administration. The Strategic Plan will be forward to the Office of the Secretariat Office of the Cabinet for approval and budget allocation. Civil services need proficient and experts On 7th February, the Cabinet resolved on measures, proposed by the Civil Service Office, to induce proficient and experts on particular subjects to civil services. They are 1) those awarded by the recognized international and national organizations, 2) experts in the internationally or nationally limited and sought-after subjects, 3) skillful persons in required professions. In practice, experts are being temporary hired to fill up vacancies but no permanent measures are adopted to solve the long term problems. 5 December continues to be a national holiday On 7th February, the Cabinet acknowledged the Prime Minister’s Office announcement in regards to HM King Vajiralongkorn wishes to designate 5 December a national holiday on reasons it was HM King Bhumipol’s birthday, a national day and a father’s day. More health care rights added to social security program On 7th February, the Cabinet resolved, by the ministerial regulations, to add more health care rights to employees in the social security program to suit the current circumstance. The health care benefit is extended to actual cost of full coverage hospitalization, either in state or private hospitals, pay by the employers, for employees injured by accident or sick while working. Royal endorsement for 3 new NLA members The Royal Gazette has published 3 new members of the National Legislation Assembly, after their endorsement by HM King Vajiralongkorn. They are 1) General Chaichan Changmongkol 2) General Sasin Thongpakdi 3) Lieutenant General Thanakiat Chobchuenchom. Tourism sector in 2016 accounted for 17% GDP Permanent Secretary of the Tourism and Sports Ministry announced income from tourism sector in 2016 accounted for 2,510,779 million baht which increased 11.09 percent from 2015 and was 17.7 percent of GDP. A 1,641,268 million baht came from international tourists and 869,510, Thais. They were 12.64 and 8.27 percent higher than 2015 respectively. It is anticipated that tourism in 2017 will increase to 2.71 trillion baht. Numbers of inbound tourists in January and February 2017 were 4.84 million, increases 4.89 percent compared to the same period last year. They has contributed 253 billion baht to the national income, 7.51 percent higher than the same period last year.