Weekly press briefing by MFA spokesperson 
on Friday, 8 April 2022 at 11:30 hours 
via MFA Facebook Live

1. PM received Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines from France (4 Apr. 2022) 

• PM presided over the handover ceremony of 3,268,620 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines from the French Republic. Ambassador of France to Thailand, represented the French Government in handing over the vaccines to Thailand. DPM/Public Health Minister, DPS Sarun Charoensuwan of MFA, and DG of Dept. of European Affairs also attended the ceremony. 
• Thailand will make good use of the vaccines and speed up the vaccination process against COVID-19. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on the Roadmap for Thai-French Relations (2022-2024). The role of France as President of the Council of the EU (Jan.-June 2022) was also discussed. 
• The vaccine donation is an example of Thailand’s proactive vaccine diplomacy, an initiative by DPM/FM, and reflects France’s role as Thailand’s partner for cooperation in various areas of mutual interests, especially in public health. 

2. Outcome of DPM/FM’s visit to China (1-2 Apr. 2022) 

• DPM/FM led a Thai delegation, consisting of private sector to Huangshan city, Anhui province, People’s Republic of China, upon the invitation of the State Councilor/FM Wang Yi. 
• Both sides agreed to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Thailand and China which marks the 10^th anniversary this year and agreed to enhance cooperation on post-COVID-19 economic recovery such as the promotion of investment in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), and ways to resolve the issue of transportation of Thai fruit export through land border checkpoints.
• They also discussed ways to promote trade and investment, cooperation on digital economy, FinTech, connectivity through Laos-China Railway project and Thailand’s rail-links, commercial flights resumption, public health, education, people-to-people ties, including travel resumption of Thai students in China, cooperation in multilateral frameworks such as Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).  
• Both sides exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest such as situation in Ukraine, cooperation in response to humanitarian situation in Ukraine, situation in Myanmar, as well as cooperation in Mekong-Lancang, ASEAN, APEC, and UN frameworks. 
• DPM/FM had an online meeting with Governor of Anhui Province and key economic agencies of Anhui Province. The meeting discussed potential areas of cooperation, especially EV vehicles, electronics, education and science, as well as cooperation at a local government level such as the establishment of sister cities. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Thai Chamber of Commerce and private sector. 
   

3. Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly concerning the suspension of Russia membership in the Human Rights Council (HRC) (7 Apr. 2022)

• The 11^th  Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly voted to suspend membership of Russia in the Human Rights Council by a vote of 93 in favour, 24 against (China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Etheria, Viet Nam, Laos, Syria, Belarus, and Russia), and 58 abstentions (Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore).  
• Thailand voted to abstain on the resolution because of the overriding importance that Thailand attaches to a transparent, impartial, and inclusive approach in the multilateral regime. Thailand supports the UNSG’s call for an Independent International Commission to Inquiry established by the HRC be able to commence its work soonest to investigate the serious allegations in an impartial, transparent, and comprehensive manner. 
• Thailand is concerned with the escalation of conflicts and humanitarian crises in Ukraine. Thailand renews our call for peace and for all parties to enhance dialogue through various means to truly realise a peaceful settlement of the situation. 
• Following the approval of 2-million-baht budget for humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, RTE in Warsaw, on behalf of the Thai Government, and the Polish Red Cross signed the agreement concerning in-kind donation to Ukraine. These in-kind aids will be transported to Ukraine soon. Thailand will expand partnership with the Thai public and private sector as well as international organisations in providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. 

4. Thailand handovers COVID-19 vaccines to Myanmar and Vietnam 

4.1 Myanmar  

• On 2 Apr. 2022, Mrs. Kanokwan Pengsuwan, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., RTE in Yangon attended the handover ceremony of 500,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine and syringes to Myanmar Red Cross Society. This donation is the second batch bringing the total number of vaccines contributed to Myanmar to 1,000,000 doses. 

4.2 Vietnam  

• On 5 April 2022, Mr. Nikorndej Balankura, Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam presided over the handover ceremony of 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to the Vietnamese Government.
• This amount of vaccine is the first batch donated to Vietnam to support the efforts in controlling COVID-19. Since 2020, Thailand has provided financial aids and medical equipment worth approximately 58.6 million baht to Vietnam
• MFA thanked the related agencies for facilitating these handovers namely, Dept. of Disease Control, MOPH, AstraZeneca Thailand as well as, SCG and Leo Logistics for sponsoring the transportation.  

5. 5. Thailand hosted the 13th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Meeting on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (ISM on NPD) (5 Apr. 2022) 

• Thailand, the US and Sri Lanka co-hosted the 13th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Meeting on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (ISM on NPD). Thailand will be co-chairing the ARF ISM on NPD with the US and Sri Lanka for the term 2022-2024. 
• DG of ASEAN Affairs Dept. gave opening remarks highlighting ASEAN’s central and strategic role in working with its external partners to build trust and confidence.  
• Thailand’s priorities at the ARF include (1) giving equal importance to all three pillars of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), (2) full and effective implementation of the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (Bangkok Treaty), (3) the compatibility and complementarity of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to the NPT, (4) peaceful uses of nuclear energy while ensuring safety, security and safeguards measures, and (5) confidence-building efforts and cooperation in technological innovations and emerging technologies. 

6. Thai Ambassador to Vietnam paid a courtesy call on PM of Vietnam (31 Mar. 2022) 

• Mr. Nikorndej Balangkura, Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam called on  PM of Vietnam. Both sides discussed bilateral relations such as exchange of high-level visits in 2022 including the visit of PM of Vietnam to Thailand and the 4^th Joint Trade Committee. Both sides agreed to strengthen economic cooperation in order to achieve USD 25 billion USD of trade value by 2025, and to facilitate Thailand’s investment in Vietnam.  They also discussed ways to facilitate the export of Thai agricultural products and fruits through Vietnam to the third countries.
• PM of Vietnam extended appreciation for Thailand’s assistance to Vietnam in  combating COVID-19, including the recent handover of 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine. Ambassador also reassured that the Thai athletes will participate in the SEA Games in Vietnam in May 2022.  
• PM of Vietnam also congratulated Ambassador on the establishment of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (ThaiCham). The launching event of ThaiCham was held at RTE in Hanoi on 5 April 2022.  

7. Royal Thai Consulate-General (RCG) in Shanghai takes care of Thais during the new wave of COVID-19  

• Following the surge of COVID-19 in Shanghai, the Chinese authorities have tightened disease control measures including lockdown since 28 March 2022. RCG in Shanghai has been in close contact with the Thai community in the affected areas through online channels and 24 hours hotline.  
• RCG also distributed food supplies to the Thai community, local medical personnel and volunteers.

8. Legalisation Services now available at Pathumwan Passport Office (1 Apr. 2022 onwards) 

• Dept. of Consular Affairs now provides legalisation services on Monday–Friday during 10.00-16.30 hrs. (except public holidays) at Pathumwan Passport Office, 5th floor, zone A, MBK Center. 
• Since 2 Apr 2022., Pathumwan Passport Office provides passport application service on Saturday during 10.00-18.00 hours. 
• For more information, please call 02-126-7616. 

9. COVID-19 Vaccination service for Thai and non-Thai nationals  

• MBK Center and the Princess Mother National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment, MOPH, have been operating the COVID-19 vaccination center, which provides Pfizer and AstraZeneca for any shot of vaccine (from 1st to booster shot). The service opens for Thai and non-Thai nationals and migrant workers and has the capacity to inoculate up to 1,200 persons/day for those who walk-in or register through mobile-service providers. The vaccination center is open from Mon-Fri (except national holidays) to the end of April at 6th floor, Zone B-C, MBK Center. For further information, please contact MBK Contact Center 1285.  
• The Central Vaccination Center at the Bang Sue Central Station has been operating a vaccination service for Thai and non-Thai nationals. The service will resume on 18 April onwards, everyday from 9 am – 4 pm at Gate 2.

Weekly Press Briefing: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiMFA/videos/1212645472811359

Press Division
Department of Information