Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

Thursday 14 September 2023, at 11.00 hrs.,
at Press Conference Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. Thirty-day Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme for Chinese and Kazakhstani Tourists from 25 September 2023 to 29 February 2024

• On 13 September 2023, the cabinet approved the 30-day Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme for Chinese and Kazakhstani passport or travel document holders from 25 September 2023 to 29 February 2024, on a temporary basis. This initiative aims to promote tourism during the upcoming tourist season.

2. The 78^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York (18-24 September 2023)

• The Prime Minister will lead the Thai delegation to participate in the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) during 18-24 September 2023 – with important activities include (1) UN meetings; (2) meetings with the private sector e. the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC), the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC); and key US business leaders (3) engagements with Thai communities and Team Thailand in the US.
• The Prime Minister will deliver Thailand’s national statement during the General Debate and will participate in the SDG Summit. Achieving 17 SDGs has always been among Thailand’s priorities on the national level. The Prime Minister will also attend the Climate Action Summit.
• Other meetings for the Prime Minister include high-level bilateral meetings and with E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations.
• The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs will accompany the Prime Minister at all engagements. Besides, he will take part in the Preparatory Ministerial Meeting of the Summit of the Future, which will take place next year. DPM/FM will use this opportunity to seek support for Thailand’s candidature to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the term 2025-2027, of which the election will take place in October 2023.
• DPM/FM will also meet with high-level representatives from other countries, including E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the 78^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA78), as well as attend high-level meetings on public health and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

3. Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Negotiating Round in Bangkok (10-16 September 2023)

• During 10-16 September 2023, Thailand is hosting the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Negotiating Round at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, with chief negotiators from 14 IPEF Partner Countries: (1) Australia, (2) Brunei Darussalam, (3) Fiji, (4) India, (5) Indonesia, (6) Japan, (7) Republic of Korea, (8) Malaysia, (9) New Zealand, (10) Philippines, (11) Singapore, (12) Thailand, (13) the U.S. and (14) Viet Nam. These countries contribute up to 40 percent of the global GDP and home to 60 percent of the total World popultion.
• This round of negotiations is held in continuation from the previous ones to enhance cooperation under 3 pillars including (1) trade; (2) clean economy; and (3) fair economy. While there are four pillars under IPEF, the negotiations on the supply chain pillar has already been finalized.
• Important activities of this round of negotiasions include (1) the opening ceremony presided by Mrs. Phantipha Iamsudha Ekarohit, Deputy Permanent Secretary; (2) IPEF Stakeholder listening Session; and (3) Dinner hosted in honour of the chief negotiators hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

4. The 43^rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta, Indonesia (4-7 September 2023) (with Ms. Usana Berananda, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs)

• The 43^rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits were held during 5-7 September in Jakarta, Indonesia marked the end of Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023. The meeting consisted of 12 summit-level meetings which included the ones conducted among ASEAN member States and those with the dialogue partners
• This iteration of the ASEAN Summit is the culmination of Indonesia’s tenure as ASEAN Chair, with all discussions held under the main theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”, rendering importance on ASEAN’s resilience amidst global dynamics.
• Important outcomes of the Summit:
  • The success of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) document to promote ASEAN Centrality and attract global powers and other actors to engage constructively in the region.
  • Economic issues related to COVID-19 recovery were also discussed, alongside other areas i.e. digital transformation, clean energy transition, and ASEAN FTAs upgrade.
• On 20 September 2023, Thailand, as ASEAN Coordinator for sustainable development, will host a side event “Fostering Partnership for Our Common Future: Enhancing Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to Accelerate the SDGs in ASEAN” at UNHQ (during UNGA78).
• LAO PDR will assume ASEAN Chairmanship next year under the theme “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”.

5. Announcement of the Laureate of the Public Diplomacy Award (PDA) for 2023 (with Mr. Tharit Charungvat, Secretary-General of Thailand Foundation)

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thailand Foundation initiated the Public Diplomacy Award in 2022 to recognize individuals or organisations for their contributions to the promotion of Thailand and the popularity of Thai culture. The award stands as an example that diplomacy is for everyone.
• On 12 September 2023, the Board Committees of Thailand Foundation announced Miss Moriya “Pro Mo” Jutanugarn and Miss Ariya “Pro May” Jutanugarn as the laureates of the Public Diplomacy Award 2023, due to their continuous contributions in the promotion of Thailand through their outstanding achievements in the international ladies’ golf arena. Their successes have also inspired new generations of professional golfers to follow in their footsteps and become champions in their own rights.

• The Award Presentation Ceremony will be held later on this year. As for the prizes, Miss Moriya’s and Miss Ariya’s names will be engraved on the trophy and wall of fame along with the name of past recipient, on display at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They will also receive a replica trophy along with an honorary plaque and a total prize of 300,000

        (Press release by Thailand Foundation as attached)

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Press Division
Department of Information