Weekly press briefing by MFA spokesperson

on Thursday, 24 March 2022 at 13:30 hours

 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and via MFA Facebook Live

1. DPM/FM attended the 48th session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (22 – 23 March 2022) 

• DPM/FM attended the 48th session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad, Pakistan, representing Thailand as an observer country. 
• DPM/FM delivered a statement that highlighted the importance of cooperation, patience, and engagement between countries to resolve conflict. The OIC is 1.5 billion people strong, and therefore can make a meaningful difference. This session can be the beginning of renewed hope, aspiration, and alliance for peace and tolerance. 
• On the sidelines of the meeting, DPM/FM held bilateral meetings with several FM’s from OIC countries, for example;

- FM of Bahrain: to discuss ways to promote bilateral amd regional cooperation, Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).
 - FM of Saudi Arabia: to promote bilateral cooperation after the normalization of relations, as well as cooperation to resolve conflicts e.g. situation in Ukraine.

 - FM of Egypt: to discuss ways to promote trade and investment, education, and climate change.  Egypt will host the COP27 United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2022 

- FM of Kuwait: to discuss cooperation on energy, food security, tourism, and joint commission on bilateral cooperation. 

- Sec-Gen of OIC: to reiterate invitation to visit Thailand, and pledged to donate 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to Ethiopia. 

• DPM/FM also met with representatives of Thai students in Islamabad. 

2. Updated measures for travelers entering Thailand

• CCSA meeting on 18 March 2022 decided to make adjustments on measures for travelers entering Thailand, effective from 1 April 2022, as follows:
  • The pre-departure RT-PCR proof has been canceled for all
    travelers.
    However, COVID-19 tests upon arrival are still required with the same procedure.
  • Those entering Thailand through the Test & Go and Sandbox scheme will be required to undergo the RT-PCR test on day 0 and self-ATK on day 5.
  • Those entering Thailand through the alternative quarantine scheme (AQ), vaccinated or unvaccinated, will be required to quarantine for only 5 days, down from the previous requirement of 7 and 10 days.
  • The period of stay in the Sandbox areas has been reduced from 7 days to 5 days before travelers can travel to other areas.
  • Travelers can enter Thailand by air through Hatyai International Airport as an additional point of entry (from 7 airports). Travelers can travel to Songkhla, Surat Thani, and Krabi for accommodation while waiting for RT-PCR test results.
  • Travelers can enter Thailand by land border-crossing through Wang Prachan Boundary Post, Satun Province as an additional point of entry. Thailand Pass for Land Travel will be open for registration when the new measures become effective.

3. The Logo Unveiling Ceremony on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Establishment of Thailand – India Diplomatic Relations (21 March 2022) 

• DPM/FM and Ambassador of India to Thailand presided over the logo unveiling ceremony on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Thailand – India Diplomatic Relations, at Icon Siam. 
• MFA and the Embassy of India jointly organized a logo design competition to promote awareness on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and India. Out of 798 submissions, three logos were selected as winners. The winners are (1) Ms. Chanida Hengkhuntod from Thailand, (2) Mr. G. Shahidhar Reddy, from India, and (3) Mr. Somchai Nilkaew from Thailand. 
• The first prize winner’s logo was inspired by “Pha Khao Ma” and “Sari”, two traditional fabrics in Thailand and India, intertwined to reflect the ties and the 75th anniversary between the two countries. The logo will be used throughout the year for commemorative activities to be organized in Thailand and india. 

4. Seminar for MFA Information Officers around the world to promote public diplomacy in the digital era (21 March 2022) 

• Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs presided over the first seminar for MFA information officers around the world via virtual platform. It was organized to enhance knowledge and develop skills to communicate with the public through traditional and new media platforms more
  The seminar exchanged views and best practices with over 100 information officers posted at the Thai embassies and consulates-general in all parts of the world and agencies in MFA.
• The seminar addressed the challenges of the digital era, ways to move forward with digital diplomacy, and the use of Thai soft power. Soft Power has become a national agenda and a crucial strategy to promote Thailand and drive Thaland’s foreign policy.
• MFA is highly committed to providing accurate, appropriate, and timely information in order to enhance the attractive image of Thailand, uphold the best interests of Thai people by focusing on trade and investment opportunities, including the benefits from Thailand’s hosting of APEC2022.  

5. 5. Documents required for Thai passport for Minors (under 20 years of age) 

• In case both parents are present at the consular office, required documents include: 
  (1) Thai national ID card  
  (2) Thai Birth Certificate  
  (3) The parents’ current Thai National ID Card (for Thai parents) or the parents’ current passport (for non-Thai parents) 
  (4) proof of relationship/custodianship of the parents to the minor e.g. marriage certificate 
• In case the parents cannot be present  to sign the consent form in the presence of the consular officer, the consular officer will request additional documents as follows: (1) a letter of consent to passport application 
  (2) If the minor is under 15 years of age and both parents are not present, a power of attorney letter signed by parents is required for the adult who accompanied the minor to the consular. 
• In the case that the parents of the minor are not married and the minor is in the custody of the mother, only the mother is required to sign the consent form as well as present a copy of the letter of custody and the mother’s ID card. 
• In the case that the parents of the minor are divorced, the parent(s) with the custody is required to sign the consent form. The ID card(s) of the parent(s) must be presented. 
• In the case that the minor is adopted, the adoptive parent(s) is required to sign the consent form. Certificate of adoption and the adoptive parent(s) ID card must be presented. 
• In the case that one of the parents of the minor passed away, a copy of the death certificate is required.  
• In any other cases, a court order stating the name of the minor’s custodian is required. 
• Further information can be found at the Dept. of Consular Affairs’ website: https://consular.mfa.go.th/th/publicservice-category/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B9%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%99

6. Updated measures for entering the Kingdom of Cambodia (effective from 17 March 2022) 

• Cambodia announced the cancellation of the pre-departure RT-PCR proof and rapid test upon arrival in Cambodia, only for fully vaccinated travelers. For unvaccinated travelers, 14-day quarantine in State Quarantine or Alternative State Quarantine is still required.
• The Visa on arrival (VOA) for entering Cambodia has been resumed. Holders of Thai Passport do not need VOA due to the agreement of visa exemption between Thailand and Cambodia. Thai nationals can enter and remain in Cambodia for 14 days.
• As of now, land border-crossing between Thailand and Cambodia is not permitted.  
• Further information can be found at Facebook page: “Royal Thai Embassy, Phnom Penh” or the Embassy’s website: https://phnompenh.thaiembassy.org/th/content/faqs-covid19?cate=5d73ac5d15e39c46f4006ed0

6. Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing held the ‘Thai Festival 2022: Ancient Siam’ (19-20 March 2022)  

• RTE in Beijing held the “Thai Festival 2022” with the theme “Ancient Siam”, presenting the charm of ancient Thailand to audiences, at the Ambassador’s Residence, Ambassador of Thailand China presided over the opening ceremony.
• The Festival aims to promote Thailand’s uniqueness and popularity in China and enhance the competitiveness and diversity of Thai products in Chinese markets. There were splendid showcases of delicacies from Thai restaurants in Beijing.
• RTE invited ‘MiMi Lee’ and ‘Nene’, Thai-young artists who are currently famous in China, to join the festival. Their participation received highly positive feedback and led the Thai Festival into Top 10 trending in Weibo, the most popular social media platform in China.
• There were over 4,000 attendees including foreign Ambassadors in China, representatives from MFA of China, executives from Thai private sectors in China and Chinese press/media. The live-streaming of the Thai Festival via online platforms gained over 12.6 million views and the campaign video in the Kuaishou application got over 120 million views.

7. Tornadoes in the U.S. (22 March 2022)

• Tornadoes with wind speed F1 (120-180 kms./hr.) were reported in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The tornadoes have caused considerable damages to infrastructures, injuries, and fatalities. RTE in Washington reported that the tornadoes did not affect any Thai nationals.

8. Ceremony for Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund Projects for 2021 (24 March 2022 at 14.00 hrs.)

• MFA, in cooperation with the Embassy of China to Thailand, organized the launching ceremony of projects funded by the Mekong - Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Special Fund on the occasion of the Mekong - Lancang Cooperation Week 2022 (MLC Week) via videoconference. 
• 13 Thai-led projects by 5 Thai Ministries were approved to receive funding from the MLC Special Fund. These five ministries are the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
• All these projects are aimed at improving the livelihood of the Thai people as well as the people in the Mekong sub-region.
• For full session, please visit the MFA’s Facebook page.

9. Thailand Virtual Exhibition (26 March 2022 at 13.00 hrs.) 

• An online exhibition “Thailand Virtual Exhibition”, to promote MFA’s readiness to co-host the Global South-South Development Expo 2022 (GSSD Expo 2022), will be hosted with a mini-concert from Tom-Issara Kitnitchi.
• For live broadcast, please visit Facebook page “Thaidevelopmentexpo”

10. Intergenerational Dialogue on SDGs: Advancing SDG 4 in the context of COVID-19 Recovery and Sharing Youth's Perspective on Building Back Better (28 March 2022, 12.45-14.00 hrs.)

• of International Organizations, MFA, will organize Intergenerational Dialogue on SDGs: Advancing SDG 4 in the context of COVID-19 Recovery and Sharing Youth's Perspective on Building Back Better.   
• This event aims to facilitate brainstorming and exchanging of ideas between young people and practitioners from the government, private sector, and international organizations to drive forward SDG4 (Quality Education) amid the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis. Dr. Suwit Maesince, Chair of Youth Sub-committee under the National Committee for Sustainable Development will deliver opening remarks.
• Panelists at the event include;
• Thuttai Keeratipongpaiboon, Director of International Strategy and Coordination Division, NESDC
• Erica Maesincee, Co-Founder, Youth In Charge
• Akihiro Fushimi, Regional Education Specialist, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO)
• Jirath Kiarchaisiriporn, Youth Representative from Thailand
• Tran Quynh Giang, Youth Representative from Vietnam
• Panelists will offer their perspectives on awareness-raising of the SDGs and broadening the base of SDGs implementation across all sectors and ages, particularly among young people from Asia-Pacific. 
• For live broadcast, please visit MFA’s Facebook Page.

11. Metaverseminar on “Opportunity for Thailand from Metaverse and Digital assets” by Royal Thai Consulate-General in Los Angeles (15 March 2022) 

• CG in Los Angeles organized a seminar on Metaverse platform or Metaverseminar on “Opportunity for Thailand from Metaverse and
  Digital assets”. The seminar was joined by executives of Zipmex, Gala Games, Chiang Mai Crypto City, and over 4,000 participants in all
  sectors from Thailand, the U.S., and abroad. The participants shared their insights on opportunity from Metaverse, the importance of digital assets, Crypto to Metaverse and Games and E-Sports industries.
• For full session, please visit https://youtu.be/CKTM--cxcQc . 

Weekly Press Briefing: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiMFA/videos/4788713064589084

Press Division

Department of Information