Weekly Press Briefing on Wednesday 2 February 2022 at 11:30 hours via Facebook LIVE at Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. The Presentation Ceremony of Prince Mahidol Award 2020 and 2021 (27 January 2022)

• Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, as the Representative of His Majesty the King, presided over the Presentation Ceremony of the Prince Mahidol Award 2020 and 2021 at the Chakri Throne Hall.
• The Prince Mahidol Award Foundation annually confers two Prince Mahidol Awards upon individual(s) or institution(s), which have demonstrated outstanding and exemplary contributions to the advancement of the world’s medical and public health services. Each Award consists of a medal, a certificate, and a prize to the sum of US $100,000.
• The Prince Mahidol Award 2020 in the field of Medicine was presented to Professor Dr. Valentin Fuster, the United States, for researching the role of platelets in the development of coronary thrombosis and the benefits of antiplatelet agents in preventing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) occlusion after the coronary bypass operation which saved the lives of people with coronary artery disease. In the field of Public Health, the Award was presented is Dr. Bernard Pécoul, Republic of France, for establishing the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) which played an important role in reducing mortality rate and improving the quality of life of people around the world.
• The Prince Mahidol Award 2021 in the field of Medicine was presented to (1) Professor Dr. Katalin Karikó, the United States/Hungary, Prof. Dr. Drew Weissman, the US, for developing mRNA technology and its applications in medicine which led to the mRNA Covid-19 vaccine development; and (2) Prof. Dr. Pieter Cullis, Canada, for researching lipid nanoparticles which led to the mRNA Covid-19 vaccine development.

2. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs chaired the Team Thailand Committee Meeting (31 January 2022)

• DPM/FM Don Pramudwinai chaired a meeting of the Overseas State Administration (Team Thailand) Committee, which was attended by 32 government agencies involved in foreign affairs.
• The meeting extensively discussed on the implementation of the Masterplan on Foreign Affairs or “the 5S Strategy” under the National Strategy which aims to achieve five key strategic priorities of diplomacy – Security, Sustainability, Standard, Status, and Synergy. The meeting also discussed the preparation for the first 5-year (2018–2022) evaluation of the Masterplan which will be late 2022.
• The Meeting exchanged views on priorities in foreign affairs for 2022 which can contribute to restoring Thailand's economy and society from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Meeting also discussed on the use of Soft power which will be further discussed further at the national level.

3. MFA and Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand’s Panel Discussion on “Driving Post-COVID Economic Recovery as APEC Host in 2022” (31 Jan 2022)

• The MFA, in collaboration with the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT), co-hosted a panel discussion on “Driving Post-COVID Economic Recovery as APEC Host in 2022” at the FCCT and online. The event introduced Thailand as the APEC Host Economy in 2022 and facilitated the exchange of views on Thailand’s priorities and key deliverables with the foreign media, diplomatic corps, business partners, and government agencies. Over 70 participants attended.
• Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Director-General of the DG of International Economic Affairs, emphasized that Thailand’s main focus for the year would be to advance post-COVID recovery for APEC economies under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance.” aimed at identifying responses to the challenges that Thailand and the region are confronting.
• Chanunya Bandhukul, Executive Director, Bureau of America, Pacific Affairs and International Organizations, Ministry of Commerce, shared details of the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) and discussed on MSMEs, particularly in the context of e-commerce and utilizing digital technology in the global supply chain.
• Kasemsit Pathomsak, a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), underscored that the private sector is a major stakeholder in the outcomes of APEC meetings and that ABAC has similarly initiated a theme for their meetings this year, which is “Embrace. Engage. Enable.”
• Reviewing of Panel Discussion: >>>

4. Update on Thailand Pass

• Test and Go scheme was resumed for registration on 1 Feb 2022. As of 2 Feb 2022, 09.00 hrs., the total number of travelers registered through the “Thailand Pass” website is 1,015,580 persons – 794,198 of whom have been approved. Among the approved travelers, 529,377 persons registered for entry through Test and go scheme, 204,170 for sandbox scheme, and 60,651 for AQ scheme.
• For the Test and Go scheme since its resumption (1 February 2022 at 09.00 hrs.), the total number of travelers registered for Test and Go is 26,743 (as of 2 Feb 2022 at 09.00 hrs.)
• Once again, I wish to reiterate that all travelers who wish to enter Thailand need to register through Thailand Pass website (https://tp.consular.go.th) with requirements as follows:
• Eligible for all countries/territories; (2) Fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by Thailand or WHO no less than 14 days before departure; (3) Insurance with minimum coverage of 50,000 USD for medical expenses for non-Thais; (4) Fully paid SHA Extra + / AQ hotel reservation confirmation including 2 RT-PCR tests for day 1 and day 5 of staying in Thailand; (5) If travelers plan to stay in Thailand for less than 5 days, they can provide their proof of departure such as air ticket instead of the test on the fifth day.
• Travelers also cannot travel immediately upon the registration. All travelers are advised to plan their trip at least seven days in advance for registration and approval process.

5. Thailand’s guidelines for children who become infected with COVID-19

• Regarding concerns from overseas travelers on children who are infected with COVID-19 during their stay in Thailand, the DG of the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health has approved guidelines on healthcare for asymptomatic children and families who are infected with COVID-19, as follows: (1) In cases of both a child and his/her parents/guardians are infected, emphasis is placed on ensuring that they stay together and are treated as a family group;(2) In cases of only a child is infected, but his/her parents/guardians are NOT infected, the child will receive hospital treatment, while his/her parents/guardians who are younger than 60 years of age, and who have no congenital disease, are able to care for their child at the hospital; (3) In cases of a child is NOT infected, but ONLY his/her parents/guardians are infected, another family member may care for the child. If there is no family member or guardian to care for the child, the child is to be placed in a welfare centre or accommodation under the care of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. However, in communities where children are not at risk of catching the virus in large numbers, that community may consider using the local centre for child development to care for children in such cases. The Provincial Committee on Disease Prevention or the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Committee on Disease Prevention will make a decision on this case.

6. Thailand provides assistance to Tonga in the wake of the recent volcanic eruptions

• Royal Thai Government will provide, through the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra, a 25,000 USD (approximate 875,000 Baht) in humanitarian assistance for those affected by the recent Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruptions, ashfall, and tsunami on 15 Jan 2022.

Weekly Press Briefing:  https://fb.watch/aVSup1bpM2/