February 27, 2013, at 1300hrs, at the Government Press Center, Naree Smosorn Building, Government House, Deputy Government Spokesman Pakdihan Himathongkam revealed that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra thanked members of the cabinet, during its meeting, for their cooperation in initiating the energy saving campaign within each authoritative office.
However, since sustainability of energy usage is an ultimate goal, PM Yingluck called on the more long-term plans and measures to seek direction for proper power consumption particularly among government offices and state enterprises.
Furthermore, to coincide with the energy saving campaign, PM Yingluck suggested that Thai traditional fabric also be promoted, and assigned Ministry of Culture to consider using the traditional fabric for official outfits of the Ministers.
PM Yingluck also informed the Cabinet about her trip to the Republic of Korea and a meeting with the new President of South Korea that expansion of trade and investment was agreed upon, as well as mutual cooperation and exchange on seniors/women/children development. PM Yingluck also invited the South Korean President to come to Thailand this May, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been assigned to coordinate on the matter.
On her trip to Hong Kong, PM Yingluck informed the cabinet that the discussion focused on promotion of mutual trade and investment. Hong Kong was also interested in intellectual exchange, cultural tourism, and investment on infrastructure, as well as major agricultural crops such as rice and fruits.
PM Yingluck and the delegation had also a chance to visit MTR’s Hong Kong Station which provided the same transportation linkage service as Thailand’s airport rail link, but with different style of management, and more diversified connection with public buses, trains, and airlines, and facilities such as shops and restaurants. PM Yingluck assigned Ministry of Transport to study the management of Hong Kong’s MTR in order to apply with Thailand’s airport rail link.
At the same time, PM Yingluck had a chance to talk with representatives from Hong Kong’s travel association and companies who called for Thailand to particularly solve the traffic congestion problem in Bangkok and other major tourist destinations. PM Yingluck, therefore, assigned concerned authorities to develop tourist accommodation plan for big cities in connection with the country’s infrastructure development plans. Ministry of Foreign Affairs would act as a coordinator for the matter.