Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

Wednesday, 27 July 2022 at 10:30 hours

Press Conference Room, MFA and via MFA Facebook Live

1. E-Book Launch of “A Legacy for All” in Celebration of His Majesty the King’s Birthday (22 July 2022)

• VFM Vijavat presided over the English-language e-book launch of “A Legacy for All,” a compilation of selected articles published from the end of the year 2020 to mid-2022 on the role of the monarchy in Thai history, society and the nation’s development, as part of the activities to commemorate the birthday of H.M. the King on 28 July 2022. Attendees included prominent individuals from various fields, representatives from key agencies involved in the Royal Projects, as well as the diplomatic corps and int’l organisations.
• This distinct collection of 18 articles celebrates the role of the monarchy in the nation’s development from the past to the present, touching the daily lives of people in Thai society, as well as impacting Thailand’s inte’l relations. Many writers have worked on Royal projects and initiatives for the benefit of local communities in several areas, reflecting efforts to promote people-centred development.
• The e-book recaptures concepts and experiences that society can continue to learn from for the future, such as the Khok Nong Na Model to strengthen food security, the Kamlangjai Project to uphold human rights for vulnerable groups, and the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) that focuses on building strength from within: all of which have been well received overseas.   
• The articles in this e-book have been published in more than 20 local media outlets in 15 countries and one economic zone, which include Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Cambodia, China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, the Republic of Korea, Timor-Leste and Hong Kong.
• The link to the e-book can be found at: https://info.mfa.go.th/th/page/e-book

2. Preparatory Meeting on Providing Assistance to Sri Lanka (22 July 2022)

• Sarun Charoensuwan, DPS, chaired a preparatory meeting on providing assistance to alleviate the impact of the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, in which representatives from both public and private sectors participated.
• The meeting discussed the essential needs and requests from Sri Lanka such as medicine, food, and fuel, as well as the appropriate methods of delivery. This takes into consideration humanitarian necessity and the readiness of the contributors which would give the utmost benefit to the receiving country. The meeting agreed to provide the most suitable assistance to Sri Lanka whilst abiding by the relevant law and regulations.
• Since the beginning of the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the Thai public and private sectors have donated cash and medicinal supplies to Sri Lanka, with a value totaling over 4 million baht.

3. 5^th APEC Media Focus Group on “APEC and Business Sustainability” (20 July 2022)

• MFA and Mahidol University (MU) co-hosted the Int’l Academic Forum and the 5^th APEC Media Focus Group (AMF) on “APEC and Business Sustainability” at Prince Mahidol Hall, MU, Salaya Campus. AMF5 was moderated by DG of Info. Dept./ MFA Spokesman. Over 130 participants attended the event both in person and online.
• PS and APEC 2022 SOM Chair, focused his keynote remarks on how BCG leverages science, technology and innovation through a whole-of-society approach to advance inclusive, sustainable, and long-term, post-pandemic growth. 
• In the first session titled “BCG Economy in Thailand and Business Sustainability,” Dr. Janekrishna Kanatharana, Vice President and Executive Director, Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi), National Science and Technology Development Agency, emphasised growth opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, medicine and biochemicals. Prof. Piyamitr Sritara, Dean of Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, focused on advancements in telemedicine and the “Nan Sandbox” as an example of medicinal value creation from local vegetation.
• Prinat Apirat, DDG of Dept. of Int’l Econ Affairs, focused on Thailand’s role as APEC host economy in advancing BCG and business sustainability, which has resonated well both in Thailand and with member economies. Mrs. Gloyta Nathalang, Executive Vice President, Corporate Branding, Communication and Sustainability Activation, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, underlined Bangchak’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 and carbon neutrality by 2030.
• The second session on “Sufficiency Economy and Innovation for Sustainable Future” was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nopraenue Sajjarax Dhirathiti, Vice President for Int’l Relations and Corporate Communication, MU. Ms. Jinanggoon Rojananan, Deputy Secretary General, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, spoke to applications of SEP which have optimised the environment, with projects such as the use of vetiver grass to prevent soil erosion.  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vichita Ractham, Dean, College of Management, MU, shared her views on the role of academia in promoting a “sustainability mindset” in students. Finally, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Director of the Institute for Technology and Innovation Management, MU, shared his work on adopting SEP as a pathway towards innovations in assistive technologies for people living with disabilities.
• MFA will organise 6^th AMF during the upcoming APEC SOM3 on 26 August 2022 in Chiang Mai under the theme “Sustainable MSMEs, Women and Business.”

Weekly Press Briefing: https://fb.watch/ewuU2M6TKh/

* * * * *

Press Division

Department of Information