Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

Thursday, 23 March 2023 at 13:30 hours

Department of Information Meeting Room, MFA and via MFA Facebook Live

1. Celebrations on the Occasion of His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand's 96th Birthday Anniversary 26th June 2023

• The government will organize the Celebrations on the Occasion of His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand's 96th Birthday Anniversary 26th June 2023 throughout the year. The celebratory activities include (1) the merit-making ceremony on 25 June 2023 at Wat Ratchabophit, Bangkok; (2) the royal merit-making ceremony on 26 June 2023 at Wat Ratchabophit, Bangkok, and Provincial Halls in every province; and (3) the launch of commemorative emblem, pin, documentary, and postage stamp to celebrate the auspicious occasion.
• On 15 March 2023, DPM/FM Don chaired the 1^st meeting of the 8^th Circle Anniversary Celebratory Projects and Activities Committee.
• The Committee has approved 9 projects/activities, such as a new meditation center, meditation studies and scholarships, among others.

2. 19th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Ministerial Meeting

• On 9 Mar 2023, DPM/FM Don chaired the virtual BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting. The Meeting approved the draft text of BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 proposed by Thailand to guide BIMSTEC towards a Prosperous, Resilient and Open region by 2030. The goals found in the Vision are also in line with the UNSDGs and Thailand’s BCG Economic Model. Other approved drafts included Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC Mechanism, and Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, which will be subsequently discussed at the 6^th BIMSTEC Summit in November 2023.

3. Thailand’s Upcoming Overseas Voting

• Following the recent parliamentary dissolution on 20 March 2023, the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) has announced that the general election will be held on 14 May 2023 in Thailand, while the timeframe for overseas voting is mandated to be at least 7 days prior to the national voting.
• In preparation for a smooth and transparent election, MFA has done as follows:
  • Set up an internal working group, chaired by DG of Consular Affairs Dept., as a main body in the MFA responsible for the upcoming overseas voting;
  • Developed an Overseas Voting Monitoring System (OVMS) to track the progress of overseas voting in real-time;
  • Organized a series of workshops on the timeline and general guidelines of overseas voting for Thai consular officials posted abroad.
• MFA has also coordinated with the ECT and concerned authorities in preparation for the upcoming election.

4. 2023 Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) and related side events

• On 27 – 30 Mar 2023, the 10^th APFSD will be held under the theme “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels” at the UN Conference Centre, Bangkok, paving the way for the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and SDG Summit. DPM/FM will make opening remarks, and the DG of IO Dept. will deliver Thailand’s statement at the meeting.
• On the sidelines of the 10th APFSD, other key events will also be held, including:
  • (1) UN South-South Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) co-hosted by TICA and UN Resident Coordinator Office in Thailand (UNRCO) on 27 Mar 2023, 12.00 - 12.30 hrs., at the TICA exhibition booth;
  • (2) Statements by DG of TICA, Mr. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Development Coordination, and Ms. Gita Sabharwal, UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand;
  • (3) Project presentations, such as the ARISE initiative, Global Health Diplomacy, and Midwifery Capacity Building.
• Interested media are invited for coverage of the 10th APFSD. For more information, please visit: https://indico.un.org/event/1003108/. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/3yqMYlC.

5. Travel advisory for Thai Nationals

• During the Songkran Festival, Thai people planning to go on a trip abroad are advised to check the entry requirements of their countries of destination and prepare related documents accordingly.
• Passport and consular services are available at the DCA or Temporary Passport Offices in your area. Online appointments can be requested at https://www.qpassport.in.th/#/landing.
• It is advisable to download the “Thai Consular” application, which contains useful information on consular affairs, including hotline phone numbers of the RTE/CG.
• MFA also strongly advises Thai nationals to exercise caution before taking up jobs that may look "too good" abroad, as many have become victims of job scams. In case of emergency and for assistance, please contact RTE/CG.

Weekly Press Briefing: https://fb.watch/jrLr5HFadf/

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Press Division
Department of Information