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Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Cabinet preps Financial Hub Bill draft
The cabinet is preparing to propose the draft Financial Hub Bill for parliamentary deliberation in the near future. According to Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul, the Council of State has already completed its review of the draft law. The next step will be to present it to parliament for consideration in its first reading. "This draft law will establish an ecosystem that aligns with the needs of global financial companies," said Mr Paopoom. The proposed Financial Hub Act aims to elevate Thailand into a regional financial centre by overhauling the licensing and regulatory framework under the Financial Hub initiative, making it comprehensive and business-friendly. The draft law is designed to attract investment by streamlining operations and establishing a central agency to set policies that promote Thailand as a financial hub. It also lays out strategies to develop the financial industry ecosystem, including workforce development and infrastructure improvements to meet the demands of leading global financial firms. The draft law will define target businesses within the Financial Hub and establish the Office of the Regulatory and Promotion Committee for the Financial Business Hub as a One-Stop Authority (OSA). It will define qualifications for business operators, licensing procedures, investor incentives and regulatory frameworks that are efficient and aligned with international standards. The draft law approved by the cabinet contains nine chapters and 94 sections, including General Provisions, which specifies the effective date of the Financial Hub Act and relevant definitions. Chapter 1 – Regulatory and Promotion Committee for the Financial Business Hub, which outlines the structure and authority of the committee responsible for comprehensive oversight of the Financial Hub, including setting business guidelines, issuing licences, inspecting operations and revoking licences. Chapter 2 – Office of the Committee, which establishes the OSA to provide one-stop services and facilitate businesses in licensing and receiving incentives. Chapter 3 – The director, who specifies qualifications and the appointment process for the executive managing the Office. Chapter 4 – Licensing of Target Businesses, defining types and scopes of businesses eligible for licences, and the characteristics of legal entities seeking to operate within the Financial Hub. Chapter 5 – Promotion of Incentives, outlining the benefits and incentives available to businesses established under the Financial Hub framework. Chapter 6 – Supervision of Businesses under Promotion, establishing regulatory standards for businesses within the Financial Hub, covering financial institutions, securities firms and insurance businesses, aligned with current regulatory practices. Chapter 7 – Officials, granting officials the authority to inspect the operations of businesses within the hub. Chapters 8 and 9 – Administrative Sanctions and Criminal Penalties, setting forth penalties for non-compliance with the Act's rules and conditions.
Belfast Telegraph
7 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
DUP junior minister lays wreath at Irish National War Memorial Gardens
The gardens in Islandbridge, a Dublin suburb, are dedicated to the memory of the 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in the First World War. Ceremonies took place across the Republic to honour all Irish casualties who died in wars or on service with the United Nations and other international organisations. DUP junior minister Pam Cameron tweeted that it had been 'an absolute privilege to have laid a wreath on behalf of the deputy First Minister (Emma Little-Pengelly) and the Northern Ireland Executive this 12th of July at the Annual Ceremony of Remembrance, Irish National War Memorial Gardens. #lestweforget' Irish President Michael D Higgins laid a wreath at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin, which was also attended by Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Simon Harris, other government ministers and members of the Council of State. It was the 14th National Day of Commemoration attended by Mr Higgins as president and the last before he leaves office later this year. Former Presbyterian Moderator, the Very Rev Dr David Bruce, represented the Church at the event in Kilmainham. Speaking about the event, Dr Bruce said that it has always been 'a great sense of privilege personally, and for the Presbyterian community as a whole, to take part in this national commemoration'. Representatives from veterans' organisations, the diplomatic corps and the defence forces were also in attendance. Mr Martin told the ceremony: 'It is fitting that we remember here today all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on military service with United Nations or other international organisations in the service of peace.' An act of commemoration was led by leaders from various faiths. The ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying by President Higgins on behalf of the people of Ireland, followed by a fly-past by the Air Corps. Ceremonies were also held in Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford, with an event in Sligo due later in the day.
Irish Independent
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
President Michael D Higgins lays wreath to honour fallen Irish troops on National Day of Commemoration
Ceremonies took place yesterday across the country to honour all Irish casualties who died in wars or on service with the United Nations and other international organisations. The Dublin event at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham was also attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, other government ministers and members of the Council of State. It was the 14th National Day of Commemoration attended by Mr Higgins as president and the last before he leaves office later this year. Representatives from veterans' organisations, the diplomatic corps and the defence forces were also in attendance. Mr Martin told the ceremony: 'It is fitting that we remember here today all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on military service with United Nations or other international organisations in the service of peace.' The ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying by Mr Higgins, followed by a fly-past by the Air Corps.
The Journal
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Michael D Higgins lays wreath to mark National Day of Commemoration
PRESIDENT MICHAEL D HIGGINS has laid a wreath at a National Day of Commemoration event in Dublin. Ceremonies took place across the country to honour all Irish casualties who died in wars or on service with the United Nations and other international organisations. The Dublin event at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham was also attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, other Government ministers and members of the Council of State. It was the 14th National Day of Commemoration attended by Higgins as president and the last before he leaves office later this year. Advertisement Representatives from veterans' organisations, the diplomatic corps and the defence forces were also in attendance. Government Informtion Service Government Informtion Service Martin told the ceremony: 'It is fitting that we remember here today all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on military service with United Nations or other international organisations in the service of peace.' An act of commemoration was led by leaders from various faiths. The ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying by President Higgins on behalf of the people of Ireland, followed by a fly-past by the Air Corps. Ceremonies were also held in Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford, with an event in Sligo due later in the day.
Bangkok Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham says he can dissolve House
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai dismissed the Council of State's (CoS) opinion about the acting prime minister's power to dissolve the House of Representatives as just one of many legal views. His remarks on Monday followed media reports that the CoS told the July 3 special cabinet meeting that an acting prime minister had no legal authority to dissolve the House. Mr Phumtham, who is currently serving as the acting prime minister, said the CoS' opinion, given by its secretary-general, does not constitute a formal stance and is being treated as one of several legal views being considered after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from duty, pending a court ruling. Ms Paetongtarn is accused of ethical misconduct over the leaked recording of her conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen about the ongoing border dispute. Questions have now arisen as to whether Mr Phumtham has the power to dissolve the House should Ms Paetongtarn eventually be removed from office by the Constitutional Court. According to Mr Phumtham, his power to dissolve the House is not the issue to focus on at this stage. "What we should focus on is how to work and deliver to fully secure public confidence. We should avoid [creating] uncertainty and speculation," he said. PM's Office Minister Chousak Sirinil said at this week's cabinet meeting, there was discussion on the acting prime minister's scope, but nothing more. Addressing a call by a group of northeastern MPs that cabinet ministers who are list-MPs should give up their MP status to allow those further down the list to move up and take their places, Mr Phumtham said the proposal was worth consideration. The proposal is intended to prevent a lack of quorum that has scuppered a number of House meetings recently, especially after the Bhumjaithai Party exited the coalition and left the government with a slim majority. He added that cabinet ministers whose role in the House is limited should step back to focus fully on ministerial work. "The proposal shouldn't create a problem and should be considered," he said.
