Weekly press briefing by MFA spokesperson

on Thursday, 10 March 2022 at 13:30 hours

via MFA Facebook Live

        1. Thailand’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine

• MFA approved 2 million baht budget for humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. The Royal Thai Embassy (RTE) in Warsaw is delegated to deliver in-kind assistance through the Ukrainian Red Cross Society or other international agency.    
• Thailand provided first humanitarian and medical assistance (1 million baht) to Ukraine in 2019 through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Thai Red Cross Society.    
  
  2. Update on evacuation of Thai nationals in Ukraine 
  

• Evacuation of Thai nationals in Ukraine was undertaken by the RTE in Warsaw (through Poland) and the RTE in Bucharest (through Romania).
• From 25 Feb. - 8 March 2022, 230 from 256 of Thai nationals in Ukraine were successfully evacuated. 7 groups (223 Thai nationals in total) arrived in Thailand by commercial flights.
• DG, DDGs of Department of Consular Affairs, including Dept. of Disease Control, Ministry of Labor, and Airport Authority of Thailand, welcomed and facilitated Thai evacuees at the airport. During the evacuation, the RTEs in Bern and Doha, including the CGs in Dubai and Frankfurt facilitated Thai nationals during transit. 
• The RTE in Warsaw worked with the Embassy of the Philippines in Warsaw to evacuate 15 Filipinos in Ukraine. While the RTE in Bucharest coordinated evacuation of two Singaporeans with the Embassy of Singapore in Germany.
• 26 Thai nationals who decided to remain in Ukraine are encouraged to evacuate as soon as possible. In case of emergency, they may contact the Embassy through Line application and hotline number +48 696 642 348.
  
  3. The launch of the book “Hundred Years Between” 
  

• On 9 March 2022, MFA organized the launch of the book “Hundred Years Between”, published in commemoration of the 115^th anniversary of  Thai-Norwegian diplomatic relations in 2020, at MFA. The event was presided over by Thanphuying Sirikitiya Jensen and DPM/FM.  
• MFA and the RTE in Oslo have organized a series of activities to increase public awareness of a long friendship between the two countries, the foundation of which was the result of King Chulalongkorn’s visit to Norway in 1907. 
• Thanpuying Sirikitiya Jensen is advisor, curator, and honorary guest artist on this cultural diplomacy projects. Thanphuying Sirikitiya, who is the great, great granddaughter of King Chulalongkorn, followed the footsteps of His Majesty’s visit to Norway, documenting her journey through a series of photographs, sharing her experience through a different lens of time and perspective, and forging ancestral connections that traverse the past to the present. 
• The book provides a wider perspective on Thai-Norwegian relations, as recounted in King Chulalongkorn’s travel memoir, “Klai Ban.” This book offers a genuine design concept of the exhibition which focuses on creating the connection between time-places-people, which is the essence of Thailand-Norway friendship. 
  
  4. The first meeting of the National Sub-Committee on Public Relations for the Preparation of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and Related Meetings in 2022
  

• On 9 March 2022, Anucha Nakasai, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office, chaired the first meeting of the Public Relations Sub-Committee in 2022. The meeting was attended by DG Tanee Sangrat, Dept. of Information, DG Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Dept. of Public relations and 51 agencies concerned.
• The meeting discussed on public relations (PR) strategy “Inform-Inspire-Integrate-Involve” for Thailand’s APEC host year under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance.”. The PR strategy aims to raise public awareness on APEC through various media outlets at national and international levels to reach out to all types of audiences.
• MFA held two “APEC Media Focus Group” activities and plans to hold 4-5 more events in Bangkok and other provinces this year to raise public awareness through Thai and international media on APEC agendas such as the promotion of EEC and Start-ups, women and youth empowerment, local entrepreneurs, and local media.
• MFA has been working closely with PR partners, covering all sectors; public agencies, educational institutions, and business sectors or “APEC Communication Partners” to effectively execute PR strategy.
  
  5. High Level Seminar: “Ending AIDS: Zero Discrimination, One World”

• On 7 March 2022, MFA, MOPH, and UNAIDS Thailand co-hosted the High Level Seminar: “Ending AIDS: Zero Discrimination, One World. This seminar was attended by over 100 participants from diplomatic corps, international organizations, civil society and academia. 
• VFM Vijavat Israbhakdi delivered a welcoming remark, highlighting the importance of access to health services, strong political commitment, technology sharing and community engagement in eliminating of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. 
• DPM/Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul raised concern over the consequences of stigma and discrimination that hinder people at risk from accessing HIV testing and treatments. Thailand, as the chair of UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board for 2022, is determined to address this challenge and stands ready to work with all stakeholders to achieve the SDG target in reducing inequalities and ending AIDS by 2030. 
• Ambassador of Kenya to Thailand, Deputy Chief of Mission of the British Embassy, UNAIDS Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, representative from Asia Pacific Network of people living with HIV/AIDS, and youth from Asia Pacific Network of Young Key Populations shared experiences, views and challenge of HIV/AIDS-related discrimination and inequalities. They agreed on the urgent need to accelerate access to essential health services and foster multi-sectorial participation in promoting understanding at all institutions and developing
  non-discriminatory policies/ laws that leave no one.
  
  6. Thailand to host International Horticultural Expo 2026

• Thailand was chosen by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) to host the International Horticultural Expo 2026. The Expo will be held under the theme “Diversity of Life: Connecting people, water and plants for sustainable living” in Udon Thani. This expo is expected to attract 3.6 million participants, and create around 30 billion baht of income and over 80,000 employment opportunities.  
  
  7. Webinar “ASEAN Bio-Circular-Green Economy Knowledge Sharing Series: Introductory Session: Putting the BCG Model Into Practice”

• MFA, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and ASEAN Center for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue, will host the online webinar “ASEAN BCG Knowledge Sharing Series: Introductory Session on Putting the BCG Concept into Practice” on 14 March 2022 at 14.00-16.30 hrs. The webinar will provide insights on the BCG Economy Model as an alternative development strategy and share experiences on sustainable development practices with experts in the field. 
• For registration, visit http://tinyurl.com/4k4bx9c4
  
  

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