Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

Wednesday, 19 October 2022 at 11:30 hours

Press Conference Room, MFA and via MFA Facebook Live

1. Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM) paid a courtesy call on DPM/FM (12 Oct 2022)

• H.E. Mr. Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, Grand Chancellor of the SMOM, H.E. Fra’ Alessandro de Franciscis, Grand Hospitaller of the SMOM, and delegation called on DPM/FM during their visit to chair the 11^th Asia Pacific Conference (APC) in Bangkok on 11 - 13 Oct 2022.
• DPM/FM thanked the SMOM for her humanitarian assistance to Thailand and elsewhere and discussed further bilat and trilat cooperation, regional situation, and peace efforts.
• The SMOM provides humanitarian assistance to the needy in Thailand through Malteser International. Past projects included health projects in Mae Ra Ma Luang and Mae La Oon shelters, in Mae Hong Son province.
• The APC of the Order of Malta is an annual conference to plan humanitarian assistance programs in the region. In Thailand, the Association of the Order of Malta Thailand was also established to join in the humanitarian efforts.

2. DPM/FM discussed with FM of Indonesia (17 Oct 2022)

• DPM/FM met with H.E. Retno Marsudi, FM of Indonesia, during her visit to Thailand on 16-17 Oct 2022.
• Both sides welcomed the dynamic relations between Thailand and Indonesia, agreed to strengthen bilat and regional cooperation, and discussed the upcoming ASEAN Summit and APEC Econ Leaders’ Week (AELW) in Nov 2022.

3. The 2021-22 Princess Srinagarindra Awards ceremony (21 Oct 2022)

• HRH Princess Maha Chakri Siridhorn will preside over the 2021-22 Princess Srinagarindra Awards Ceremony at the Mulasathan Boroma Asana Hall, the Royal Palace.
• The Princess Srinagarindra Award Foundation recognizes individuals contributing to the national and int’l progress as well as advancement in the fields of Nursing and Social Services.
• The 2021 Princess Srinagarindra Award honors Prof. Dr. Erlinda Castro PALAGANAS from the Philippines while the 2022 laureates are Prof. Dr. Nurith WAGNER and Prof. Dr. Miriam Judith HIRSCHFELD from Israel.
• The Awards Ceremony will be broadcast on Channel 9 MCOT HD and on the YouTube channel of “The Princess Srinagarindra Award Foundation.”

4. Cabinet endorsed characteristics of memorabilia coins for APEC 2022

• On 11 Oct 2022, the Cabinet endorsed a ministerial regulation, as proposed by the Info Dept. to the Subcommittee on APEC Public Relations, specifying the characteristics of APEC2022 commemorative coins, which would serve as memorabilia for Thailand’s host year.
• The 20-baht coins will be made of a copper-nickel alloy material, and no more than 1 million will be produced. The two sides of the coins will engrave the portrait of HM the King and the logo of APEC 2022, respectively. The Info Dept. has coordinated with Treasury Dept. and is responsible for the minting cost.
• The Office of the Council of State will now consider the ministerial regulation and submit to the Finance Minister. The Treasury Dept. expects to start the distribution on 1 Nov 2022.

5. The 2022 Public Diplomacy Award (PDA) ceremony (20 Oct 2022)

• MFA and Thailand Foundation will organize the first Award presentation ceremony for the PDA2022 at Vithes Samosorn Hall, MFA to honor Dr. Soontorn Antarasena for his medical volunteer program providing Ear Surgery Mobile Units in many countries for the past 30 years.
• The PDA recognizes individuals, associations, or organizations that contribute to the elevation of Thailand’s int’l status through various activities abroad, such as humanitarian assistance, cultural exchange, sports, and innovations, among others. The purpose of the Award is to raise public awareness and to encourage more public engagement in public diplomacy.
• Members of the media are cordially invited to the PDA ceremony on 20 Oct 2022. For registration, please fill in the following link, https://bit.ly/3yO5dlU

6. DPM/FM chaired a review meeting on the progress of Thailand’s AELW preparation (18 Oct 2022)

• DPM/FM convened a meeting with MFA executives and officials to follow-up on preparation the 2022 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW). Topics of discussion included the upcoming meeting of the APEC National Committee No. 3/2022, formalities and protocols, security arrangements, health measures, public relations, as well as official visits and bilat meetings.
• DPM/FM highlighted the synergy between all concerned agencies as key to a successful AELW. In this connection, a war room would be established to further facilitate and accommodate all arrangements during the AELW.

Q&A Session

• Has Timor-Leste been officially granted ASEAN membership?
  • This issue is still under discussion.
• How many leaders will attend the AELW?
  • There are six leaders (i.e., Chile; Hong Kong, China; New Zealand; Peru;
    Singapore; and Chinese Taipei) who have sent confirmation notes, and three leaders have confirmed verbally. A couple of economies may appoint their representatives, and four are still in consideration.
  • On 31 Oct 2022, PM will chair the aforementioned meeting of the APEC National Committee and may announce the list of participants afterwards.
  • During his visit in Jul 2022, State Councilor/FM of China mentioned to DPM/FM that the President of China would join the AELW if he had no other important engagement.

Weekly Press Briefing: https://fb.watch/gfj7E1lkwA/

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Press Division
Department of Information