Weekly press briefing by MFA Spokesperson

On Wednesday, 25 May 2022 at 16:00 hours

At Press Conference Room, MFA and via MFA Facebook Live

1. The 78^th Session of UNESCAP (23-27 May 2022)

• The 78^th Session of the ESCAP under the theme “A Common Agenda to Advance Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific” is held in hybrid format from 23-27 May 2022 at the UN Conference Centre and via videoconference. The member states have discussed elements for a common agenda and pathways to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, better responses to future challenges, and the directions of regional cooperation in the future.
• On 23 May 2022, PM delivered opening remarks via a pre-recorded video, underlining three aspects of growth essential to the transition from post-COVID-19 recovery to the “Next Normal” era of sustainable development in the region. These included: 1) balanced growth through transformative changes towards development that is environmentally friendly, climate-responsive and adaptive; 2) resilient growth by strengthening the capacities to handle external shocks; and 3) comprehensive and inclusive growth by promoting multi-dimensional connectivity and leveraging science, digital technology, and innovations.  
• PM reaffirmed Thailand’s adherence to these three aspects of growth in the national development and in shifting to the “Next to Normal” era. The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy remains at the heart of the plan with the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model as a foundation of sustainability as well as an open, connected, and balanced Asia-Pacific in line with the priorities of Thailand’s hosting of APEC 2022.

• The address also reflected the country’s concrete actions in accelerating towards sustainable development, including the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in promoting the development of low-carbon industries and expanding access to the Universal Health Coverage scheme for all groups, including migrant workers.
• On 23 May 2022, VFM attended the opening session of the Meeting, along with H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76^th session of the United Nations General Assembly, as well as other high-level representatives. In this regard, VFM was endorsed by the Commission to serve as the Chair of the 78^th Session of ESCAP.
• The 78^th Session of the ESCAP will adopt four important documents. For instance, the Bangkok declaration commemorating the “75^th anniversary of ESCAP: A common agenda to advance sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific” attaches importance to public health services, integrated and seamless connectivity, gender equality, circular economy, and youth empowerment, all of which have been pushed forward by MFA as they are Thailand’s key priorities.
• In commemoration of the 75 years of membership of Thailand in the UN and the 75^th Anniversary of the establishment of ESCAP, VFM, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, presented a painting of the Sala Santitham, by renowned artist Apirak Punmoonsilp, as a gift from the Government of Thailand to ESCAP. Sala Santitham, which means “Hall of Peace” was the conference center that the Government of Thailand provided to ESCAP in 1954.

2. VFM attended the Dialogue of Foreign Ministers of the BRICS Group and Emerging Markets and Developing Countries (19 May 2022)

• VFM on behalf of the DPM/FM, attended the Dialogue of FMs of the BRICS Group and Emerging Markets and Developing Countries (EMDCs) via videoconference upon China’s invitation. The Dialogue was held under the theme “Increasing Role of EMDCs in Global Governance”.
• VFM shared Thailand's vision for balanced and sustainable recovery from COVID-19 through advancing the BCG Economy Model and proposed three approaches on how to foster equitable and balanced global development partnership: (1) leveraging South-South cooperation together with open-source agricultural technologies to transform food systems towards greater sustainability; (2) scaling up climate finance and transfer of low-carbon energy technologies to address vulnerabilities to oil prices; and (3) promoting inclusive multilateralism to steer the global governance towards greater equity and representation of developing countries across all decision-making fora that set global standards.
• This Dialogue marked the first-ever meeting between FMs. of the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and EMDCs. The meeting was hosted by State Councilor and FM of China, during the 2022 BRICS chairmanship under the theme “Foster High-Quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development”.
• Guest countries included Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Argentina, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, United Arab Emirates, and Thailand. The invitation extended to Thailand to attend the said meeting was a recognition of Thailand’s constructive roles in the international community, especially its role in promoting South-South cooperation as well as the Host of APEC in 2022.

3. Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs discussed with U.S. Trade Representative (23 May 2022)

• PS for Foreign Affairs had a discussion with Deputy USTR, during her visit to Thailand on 21-23 May 2022 to attend the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting.
• Both sides discussed ways to promote APEC cooperation, including economic recovery, investment facilitation, connectivity in cross-border travel, BCG, and a seamless transition to the U.S. host year in 2023. They also highlighted the importance of sustained cooperation to advance the APEC progress for the benefit of the peoples of all member economies.

4. Updated measures on entering Thailand. (Effective from 1 Jun 2022)

• The number of the registrants on the Thailand Pass system from 29 April to 23 May 2022 stands at 741,526 persons, of which 670,355 entering by air, and 71,171 by land. The figure is expected to rise significantly throughout the rest of the year, which will benefit the Thai economy and tourism.
• The CCSA general meeting on 20 May 2022 announced the updated measures on entering the country, which will become effective from 1 June 2022, as follows:

      1. All quarantine measures for inbound travelers will be lifted.

      2. Thailand Pass system 

          2.1 Thai nationals who enter Thailand by air and by land will no longer need to register on Thailand Pass.

          2.2 Foreigners will still need to register on the Thailand Pass system, with a more facilitated process.

                - Fully vaccinated travelers will have to provide: (1) COVID-19 vaccination certificates (2) a minimum of 10,000 USD travel insurance covering COVID-19 medical expenses, and (3) a copy of a valid passport.

                - For unvaccinated or not-fully vaccinated travelers will have to provide (1) COVID-19 test results (RT-PCR or professional ATK)  issued  within 72 hours before traveling, (2) a minimum of 10,000 USD travel insurance covering COVID-19 medical expenses, and (3) a copy of a valid passport.

                - After the registration on Thailand Pass, the QR code will be auto-generated immediately for convenience. If travelers cannot provide appropriate COVID-19 test results, they will need to get a professional ATK test at the checkpoint.

                - Please note that before the updated measures take effect on 1 June 2022, Thais and foreign visitors are still required to register on Thailand Pass and obtain approval to enter Thailand.

      3. The Ministry of Interior confirms that all land border checkpoints will be reopened for border-crossing from 1 Jun 2022.

      - Foreign travelers need to register through the Thailand Pass system.

      - Travelers who travel with border pass and Thai nationals do not need to register on Thailand Pass.

5. School shooting in Texas, U.S. (24 May 2022)

• MFA was informed by the RTE Washington D.C. of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The incident took the lives of 19 children and 2 adults, and the gunman has already been killed by the police officers.

• The Embassy has reached out to the local Thai community. There are no Thais affected in the incident so far.
• MFA expresses her condolences to families of those who suffered losses and the government and people of the U.S. in this incident.

Weekly Press Briefing: https://fb.watch/ddP4jaFUDE/

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Press Division
Department of Information