April 2017 : Constitution B.E. 2560 Promulgated Constitution B.E. 2560 promulgated since 6 April NLA passed first reading of the National Strategy Bill King Bhumibol’s royal cremation scheduled on 26 October Two new national holidays announced A 2,076 MB to kick-start the Futurium Centre Income tax waive on community enterprises extended Comprehensive Rice Program aims to promote production A 5 BB budget allocated to solve state hospitals’ deficit countrywide 3 Bills to increase social security non-formal workers’ benefit Bonuses for 721 NCPO staffs Discontinued social security workers can resume status Constitution B.E. 2560 promulgated       On 6 April, the Constitution B.E. 2560 (2017) was officially proclaimed and later publicized in the Royal Gazette. The Constitution has 279 sections including the transitional provisions. This 20th charter was consent by 16 million voters, equivalent to 61.35 of approximately 30 million eligible voters. The promulgation resulted as: A replacement of the Interim Constitution B.E. 2557 (2014). The current Council of Ministers shall undertake their duties until the general election completes and a new government form while the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the National Reform Council and the Constitution Drafting Committee shall be in duty for a certain time. The Constitution Drafting Committee is dutiful to complete the preparation of the 10 organic bills for submission to the National Legislative Assembly for approval within 8 months. Thai people shall have more rights and liberties. The significant mission regards to the Constitution are to undertake to complete the preparation of the National Strategy within one year from the date on which such law comes into force. National Strategic Bill passed first reading       On 20 April, the National Legislative Assembly passed its first reading of the National Strategic Bill with 196 votes. An extraordinary sub-committee of 33 members was appointed to read the Bill for deliberation within 15 days. The National Strategic Bill shall be a long term, more than 20 years, development plan under a supervisory board National Strategic Committee, and office term is 5 years. King Bhumibol royal cremation on 26 October       On 25 April the Cabinet acknowledged the royal schedule on the late King Bhumibol funeral ritual 25-29 October 2017. The cremation is on 26th; given a national holiday. Two new national holidays announced       The Royal Gazette published two new national holidays, 28 July, HM King Vajiralongkorn’s birthday and 13 October, King Bhumibol’s passed away. Moreover, 5 May, King’s Bhumibol’s coronation day was revoked from being a public holiday. A 2,076 MB for the Futurium Centre       On 18 April, the Cabinet resolved on a 2,076 million baht budget for the Science Ministry’s Futurium Centre project. Baht 1,600 million will be allocated from public finance for building and utility construction, furnishing and preparation of exhibition. The rest, 476 million baht, will be sought from non-state sources. Operating will be financed through the fiscal budgeting. Community enterprises income tax waive extended       On 18 April, the cabinet resolved to extend income tax waive for community enterprises for another 3 years. This applies to partnerships and groups of persons of annual income not exceed 1.8 million baht and effective on income from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019. 25 BB to support Comprehensive Rice Production Program       On 11 April, the Cabinet resolved on a 25,871 million baht budget, over 5 consecutive years, B.E. 2560-2564, for the production and marketing of the Comprehensive Rice Production Program. Moreover, another 1,087.05 million baht will be reserved from the central budget for emergency and contingency. The Program has 3 sub-programs to promote: Production of Hom Mali rice, 57 million baht. Production of large agricultural fields, 411.02 million baht. Production of organic rice, 619.48 million baht 5 BB to alleviate state hospitals’ deficiency       The Public Health Minister Dr. Piyasakon Sakonsatayatorn disclosed Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has allocated a 5 billion baht budget from the central source to alleviate public hospitals’ financial problem. They are in deficit due to Thailand is approaching an aging society while per capita budget allocation remain constant. This measure is only ad hoc and requires regularly monitoring in the third and fourth quarter. Long term measures are to reform the national health care scheme and public financial system. Most of all, public hospitals should be self-reliance. Social benefits increased for non-formal workers       On 25 April, the Cabinet approved the Amendment Social Security Bill (Fourth Edition) B.E. 2558 with principles to add a few qualifications to workers, criteria on payment subventions and rights to get the allowances. These will be regulated by 3 sub-laws.       Social security workers paying a 300 baht monthly subvention will receive additional of 150 baht from the state, making a 450 baht every month. They are entitled to be subsidized on 5 occasions; sick leave, unable to work due to disability, funeral, child support and pension on retirement.       Hospitalized will get daily subsidy of 300 baht for a maximum of 90 days per annual. Sick leave prescribed by doctors will get 200 baht daily for a maximum of 90 days per year, too. Disability from injury will get a 500-1,000 monthly allowance for life. Funeral subsidy is 40,000 baht. Retirement after 180 months working will get pensions and additional allowance, 10,000 baht. Child allowance is 200 baht per month from birth until 6 years of age but restricted to a maximum of 2 children at a time. Bonuses for NCPO staffs       On 18 April, the Cabinet approved to give bonuses to 721 officials serving NCPO. They shall get a double promotion similarly to last year. Discontinued social security workers can resume status       On 4 April, the Cabinet resolved on the Bill to allow former social security workers failed to pay into social security fund, for a maximum of 20 years, to resume their status and benefits without recompense. They will resume their benefits similarly with those uninterrupted secured. Normally, workers unable to pay into social security fund for 3 consecutive months, or within 12 months, will instantly lose their status. This resulted to a total of 950,000 drop-outs of the social security scheme.