The Government Cabinet Approved NHA’s Resolution on Walking and Cycling Promotion

        The Government Cabinet Acknowledged NHA’s Resolution on Walking and Cycling Promotion

November 19, 2013, is another important day in the history of walking and cycling promotion in Thailand, and also for people with disability in relation to their mobility, as at about 10 am., the Government Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister passed a resolution “acknowledging a resolution of the Fifth National Health Assembly 2012 on ‘Systems and Structures for Promotion of Walking and Cycling in Daily Life’ as proposed by the National Health Commission (NHC) and assigned concerned government agencies to implement related matters in the resolution under related legal procedures, regulations and Cabinet resolutions”.

        The National Health Assembly (NHA) resolution was developed by an academic working group based on a draft prepared by Thailand Cycling Club (TCC) which acted as its secretariat with supports from Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and the 5^th NHA Organising Committee.  The draft then went through public hearing process.  It was slightly modified with comments and suggestions from stakeholders in fora at regional and national level and finally passed by the NHA participated by more than 2,000 delegates from all over the country.  As the resolution requires actions to be taken by various agencies in 10 ministries, it needs to be acknowledged by the Cabinet.  Mr. Pongthep Thepkanchana, a Deputy Prime Minister, in capacity as Chairperson of the NHC brought it to be an agenda for discussion in a Cabinet meeting on 19^th November 2013 and the Cabinet acknowledged it.

      It should be noted also that the top administrators of several ministries had submitted their official letter agreeing with and supporting this walking and cycling public policy even before the Cabinet discussed it in the meeting.  They were Mr. Kittirat Na Ranong (Finance Minister), Mr. Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn (Energy Minister), Mr. Jaturong Ruengsuwan (Interior Minister), Mr. Sonthaya Khunpluem (Culture Minister), Mr. Prasert Boonchaisuk (Industry Minister), Ms. Paveena Hongsakul (Social Development and Human Security Minister), Mr. Chatchart Sitthipan (Transport Minister), Mr. Vichet Kasemthongsri (Natural Resources and Environment Minister) and Mr. Arkhom Termpitthayapaisit (Secretary General of the National Economic and Social Development Board).

Related ministries, departments and offices now can use the resolution as approved by the Cabinet for determining their policies and strategies, planning, budgeting and spending their budget for development of systems and structures to promote walking and cycling in daily life in the ways that are consistent and appropriate for Thai society.  A lot of works, however, still have to be done.

         At the moment, it’s joyous time and Thailand Cycling Club wish to congratulate and express our gratitude to everyone who has involved in one way or another in advocating walking and cycling in daily life as a national public policy.

        Thank You Very Much Indeed!!!

(ทีมคณะทำงานขับเคลื่อนมติเดิน-จักรยาน ขณะรอเข้าชี้แจงครม.)

THAILAND CYCLING CLUB

19^th November 2013

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