Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

Friday, 21 April 2023 at 11:00 hours

Press Conference Room, MFA and via MFA Facebook Live

1. Updates on Thailand’s Upcoming Overseas Voting

• During 25 March – 9 April 2023, a total of 115,139 Thai nationals registered for the overseas voting. Voters can now check their eligibility to cast ballots via the Ministry of Interior’s website (click here), Smart Vote, ThaID, and RTE/CG’s social media platforms.
• Every voter is required to present his/her identification (e.g., ID card or other valid state ID cards) at the polling station.
• Each RTE/CG has set the voting dates and voting methods (e.g., polling booths, mail-in ballots, or mobile voting services) in accordance with the local context of the host country. For more information and latest updates, please contact the responsible RTE/CG via call center or social media.
• As of 21 April 2023, 88 of 94 overseas voting stations have received ballots from the Election Commission. Drawing lessons from past experiences, MFA and concerned agencies will work to ensure that all ballot boxes will be transferred back to Thailand in time for ballot counting.
• MFA has developed the Overseas Voting Monitoring System (OVMS) to keep track of the latest electoral progress at overseas polling stations in real-time. MFA and concerned agencies are committed to ensuring smooth and transparent arrangements.

2. Relief measures for Thai nationals in Sudan

• Following the ongoing clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum and surrounding areas, on 20 April 2023, DPS Nathapol Khantahiran chaired a meeting with member agencies of the Rapid Response Center to monitor the situation and make preparations for the evacuation of affected Thai nationals in the immediate vicinity of the conflicts.
• At present, there are 250 Thai nationals living in Sudan, most of whom are Muslim students at the Int’l Univ. of Africa, and all are reportedly safe. The RTE in Cairo with accreditation to Sudan has continuously been collaborating with the Thai communities, stressing the need to exercise extra caution.
• MFA has approved assistance in the form of relief supplies for Thai nationals through the Royal Thai Honourary Consulate in Khartoum.
• MFA and concerned agencies have consulted and made necessary preparations to evacuate the Thai nationals if and when the situation warrants.
• RTE, Cairo has been collaborating with other foreign diplomatic missions in Sudan and Egypt, including Embassies of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, among others, as well as int’l organizations, on situation monitoring and possible joint evacuation plan.
• In case of emergency, please contact the Rapid Response Center via the following channels:
  • MFA: 096-165-7120/096-352-0513/096-352-9015
  • RTE, Cairo: +201-0194-01243 or [email protected]

3. 8^th Session of Joint Thai-Russian Commission on Bilateral Cooperation

• MFA will host the 8^th session of the Joint Thai-Russian Commission on Bilateral Cooperation on 26 - 27 April 2023. Co-chaired by DPM/FM and H.E. Mr. Aleksey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, the meeting aims to set the tone for Thailand-Russia relations through a common pursuit of cooperation in key areas, such as trade and investment, industrial development, energy, science, technology, and innovation (STI), agriculture and fisheries, education, culture, sports, transport, tourism and environment.
• Established in 1993, the Commission is guided by a shared commitment to advance Thailand-Russia cooperation in various aspects. Hosted by Thailand in 2018, the 7^th session of the Commission helped foster closer ties between the two countries, which are evident through an increasing number of high-level visits and several activities organized in celebration of the 125^th anniversary of the Thailand-Russia relations in 2022.

4. Media opportunities

• Interested media are invited for the coverage of the following events:
  • Public Diplomacy Award 2023 Press Conference by MFA and Thailand Foundation
    • Date: 28 April 2023
    • Venue: Meeting Room 3, MFA.
    • To register/for more information, please visit:
      https://forms.gle/fFfKVqj7ixgtZTF37
  • Opening Ceremony of the 79th Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (CS79) under the theme "Accelerating climate action in Asia and the Pacific for sustainable development" and side events, namely, the Climate Solutions Fair and Reception for Delegations
    • Date: 15 May 2023
    • Venue: United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok & MFA (for the Reception)
    • To register/for more information, please visit: https://forms.gle/YLzw8gGSUWYYbZLb7

Weekly Press Briefing: https://fb.watch/k1VwjIxS2s/

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Press Division
Department of Information