AIPA NEWS BULLETIN FIRST QUARTERLY                                                                    OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2007

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS THAILAND

 A.  The Second Meeting of the Executive Council of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly and the Second General Assembly of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly

H.E. Gen. Charan Kullavanijaya, the First Vice President of the National Legislative Assembly of Thailand as Leader of the Thai Delegation led the Thai Delegation to attend the Second Meeting of the Executive Council of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly and the Second General Assembly of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly - APA in Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran from 17 -21 November 2007.

In his speech at the Second Meeting of the Executive Council of the APA on 17 November 2007, he strongly believed that APA will produce enabling plans of actions and play its role in the affairs of Asia. He cited that APA could operate more effectively and remains a dynamic inter-parliamentary organization serving Asia and connecting to the parliaments and the peoples of the region by increasing parliamentary capabilities to offer a better future for the region and effectively respond to matters of common concerns. He sincerely believed that APA will continue to grow and the role of APA in Asia shall be further enhanced.

Besides, Hon. Mrs. Prathoomporn Vajrasthira, Member of the National Legislative Assembly of Thailand as Deputy Leader of the Thai Delegation delivered her speech at the Plenary Session of the Second General Assembly of the APA on 20 November 2007. She said that APA is planning to devote itself to cope with various problems in the region and in the world. With the concerted efforts of the APA Members, she believed that APA is able to achieve its principles, goals, and objectives to enhance understanding and strengthen trust and cooperation among Asian parliamentarians and with all the peoples of Asia. In addition, she believed that APA must give importance to parliamentary diplomacy and engaging itself with national parliaments, inter-parliamentary bodies elsewhere and relevant international organizations.  In particular, it should foster parliamentary cooperation with the Executive Branch of each member country and explore common legislations in all areas critical to Asia.

The Thai Delegation contributed positively to the success of the Second Meeting of the Executive Council of APA and the Second General Assembly of the APA. Significantly, Thailand reaffirmed its commitments to the principles, goals and objectives as well as the processes of APA.

The Second General Assembly of APA adopted 8 resolutions and their corresponding plans of actions prepared as follows:

1. Resolution on Promoting and Respecting Cultural Diversity

2. Resolution on Globalization

3. Resolution on Alleviating Poverty

4. Resolution on Combating Corruption and Promoting Good Governance

5. Resolution on Friendship Pact of Asia

6. Resolution on Integrated Energy Market in Asia

7. Decision on Establishment of Asian Monetary Fund

8. Decision on Rules of Procedure of the APA Plenary

B.  Parliament Sittings

            During the last parliamentary session from 1 October to 31 December 2007, the National Legislative Assembly enacted 115 bills involving political, economic and socio-cultural including Public and State Enterprises administration and justice procedure such as;

1.      The Act on Amending Civil  and Commercial Code.

2.      The National Child and Youth Development Act.

3.      The Procedures for Narcotics Cases Act.

4.      The Public Broadcasting of Sound and Pictures Organization of Thailand Act.

5.      The Local Administration Act.

6.      The Special Education for Disabled Persons Act.

7.      The CommunityForestAct.

8.      The Measures for Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act.

9.      The Extradition Act.

10.  The Act on Amending Criminal Procedure Code.

11.  The Public Debt Management Act.

12.  The Electronic Transaction Act.

13.  The Labor Protection Act.

14.  The National Energy Policy Committee Act.

15.  The National Policy for Tourism Act.

16.  The Political Development Council Act.

17.  The Alien Business Operation Act.

18.  The Special Case Investigation Act.

19.  The National Science  Technology and Innovations Act.

20.  The Nationality Act.

C.  The General Elections in Thailand

After the promulgation of the new Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2550 (2007) on 24 August 2007, the general election for the House of Representatives was held on 23 December 2007.

The new Constitution requires a 480 directly elected members of the House of Representatives and a 150 directly elected and selected Senate.

            The election of the Senate shall be held on 2 March 2008.  The selection of the Senate will begin on 2 January 2008 and the results will be announced by 21 February 2008.

 

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