Bangkok: The Prime Minister has issued directives to manage illegal agricultural products entering the country through border areas, while also introducing measures to stabilize agricultural prices and provide more flexibility for Cambodian workers in Thailand.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, made these announcements following a cabinet meeting. The meeting addressed issues highlighted by reports from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Agriculture, among others, which identified problems with the smuggling of agricultural products along the border, leading to a decrease in agricultural product prices in Thailand. The Prime Minister emphasized the urgent need to resolve these issues to maintain price stability in the domestic agricultural market.
The Prime Minister has directed relevant agencies to instruct the Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance to enhance control measures at all customs checkpoints nationwide. This includes preventing and suppressing illegal agricultural imports by implementing proactive measures, ensuring strict adherence to legal duties by officers, and patrolling areas that may serve as storage for illegal goods, particularly in regions bordering neighboring countries.
The directive also calls for the Customs Department's Investigation and Suppression Division to establish a mechanism for exchanging information on imports, exports, and transits. This aims to facilitate the reporting of any illegal activities to and from relevant ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Commerce, as well as other government agencies and agricultural associations. The goal is to manage the prevention and suppression of illegal agricultural products more effectively.
Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture is tasked with coordinating with the Ministry of Commerce to set import quotas to protect domestic agricultural prices. Efforts will be made to advance research and development of quality plant varieties free from disease. Plans will also be developed to procure seedlings to meet domestic demand.
The Prime Minister has also ordered the relaxation of border worker regulations between Thailand and Cambodia to maintain labor stability, particularly during special situations affecting the grassroots economy and national security along the Thai-Cambodian border. The Ministry of Labor is instructed to expedite meetings of the Alien Employment Management Committee to consider relaxing work regulations for Cambodian workers in border areas under Section 64 of the Alien Employment Management Act, ensuring these measures do not disrupt the economic system.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior is tasked with using its authority under Section 17 of the Immigration Act to expedite drafting announcements to support these relaxation measures. These measures should align with humanitarian principles and avoid impacting the lifestyle of people in border areas. Both ministries are urged to expedite these actions for presentation to the Cabinet promptly.