Thai Cabinet nods for setting up new ministry

BANGKOK, August 8 (TNA) - The Thai Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new ministry in charge of higher education, research and innovations. Deputy Education Minister Dr. Udom Kachintorn told journalists of the decision following the Cabinet's weekly meeting at Bangkok's Government House on August 7. Dr. Udom said that the move is part of the Thai government's educational reform and Thailand 4.0 Policy, aimed to promote and support a national change towards further domestic economic growth from the fundamentals in line with a new national development strategy in the 21st century. The deputy minister stated that the establishment of the new Thai ministry is based on two draft laws, including a bill on a higher education ministry and a bill on national research and innovations, both of which are being forwarded to further legal processes at the Office of the Council of State and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) over the next couple of months. According to the deputy minister, the NLA is anticipated to pass the two draft bills for their promulgation before Thailand's new general election, expected to be held early next year. (TNA)