วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 21 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2556

คำเตือนจากป้ายห้ามสูบบุหรี่



ปกรณ์ นิลประพันธ์
                สักพักหนึ่งก่อนที่จะลงมือเขียนบทความนี้ ผมไปทำธุระส่วนตัวในห้องน้ำและเหลือบไปเห็นป้ายอยู่ป้ายหนึ่งติดอยู่ที่ผนังห้องน้ำ
                ป้ายนี้เก่าคร่ำคร่า สีกระดำกระด่าง คงติดมานานแล้ว เป็นป้ายห้ามสูบบุหรี่พร้อมข้อความว่า “เขตปลอดบุหรี่ โปรดงดสูบบุหรี่ ฝ่าฝืนโทษปรับ 2,000 บาท” ครับ ผมไม่ค่อยได้สนใจป้ายนี้เพราะไม่สูบบุหรี่และที่ผ่าน ๆ มาก็ไม่เคยได้กลิ่นบุหรี่ในห้องน้ำ เรียกว่าเป็นเด็กดีกันทั้งออฟฟิศว่างั้นเถอะ
                แต่คราวนี้พอจ้องมันนานเข้า สมองก็พาลคิดไปว่าถ้ามีผู้อุตริแอบไปสูบบุหรี่ในห้องน้ำ ผมจะต้องไปบอกใครให้มาปรับละนี่ ป้ายเขาก็ไม่ได้บอกไว้ว่าให้แจ้งใคร ความสงสัยพลุ่งพล่านมากขึ้นเมื่อเสร็จธุระจึงรีบแจ้นกลับตู้ปลามาเปิดกฎหมายดู
                กฎหมายที่ว่านี้ก็คือพระราชบัญญัติคุ้มครองสุขภาพของผู้ไม่สูบบุหรี่ พ.ศ. 2535 ครับ กฎหมายนี้เขาให้อำนาจรัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงสาธารณสุขประกาศเขตไม่สูบบุหรี่ ซึ่ง “สุขา” นั้นเป็นสถานที่สาธารณะที่ให้มีการคุ้มครองสุขภาพของผู้ไม่สูบบุหรี่ตามประกาศกระทรวงสาธารณสุขนะครับ และมาตรา 6 เขาห้ามมิให้ผู้ใดสูบบุหรี่ในเขตปลอดบุหรี่ และมาตรา 14 ให้อำนาจพนักงานสอบสวนมีอำนาจเรียบเทียบปรับครับ
                ว่าง่าย ๆ ก็คือต้องไปแจ้งตำรวจมาจับไปดำเนินคดี ถ้าเขายอมเสียค่าปรับก็จบกัน
                พูดก็ดูจะง่ายอย่างว่าครับ แต่ถ้าดูลึก ๆ แล้วจะพบว่าการเขียนกฎหมายแบบนี้กลับทำให้กฎหมายไม่เป็นกฎหมาย เพราะตามกลไกที่กำหนด คนเหม็นบุหรี่ต้องไปแจ้งความให้ตำรวจมาจับคนสูบเสียก่อน กว่าจะหาตำรวจได้บุหรี่คงหมดไปหลายซองแล้ว ส่วนก้นบุหรี่ก็คงลงชักโครกไปเรียบร้อยแล้ว ถ้าจะหาหลักฐานกันจริง ๆ ก็คงเลอะเทอะกันน่าดู
                ทีนี้เมื่อกลไกตามกฎหมายวุ่นวายขนาดนี้ ลองนึกถึงตัวเราครับว่าถ้าเราพบคนสูบบุหรี่ในห้องน้ำ เราจะไปตามตำรวจมาจับคนฝ่าฝืนกฎหมาย หรือว่าเราจะเลือกกลั้นหายใจทำธุระให้เสร็จไว ๆ แล้วรีบออกไปหายใจข้างนอก
                ผมว่าถ้าเราไม่มีเหตุโกรธเคืองหมอนั่นจริง ๆ เราคงไม่ไปตามตำรวจมาจับมัน..จริงไหมครับ
                นี่เป็นตัวอย่างที่แสดงให้เห็นว่ากลไกตามกฎหมายบางเรื่องนั้นไม่เหมาะสมกับสภาพของเรื่องเสียเลย จึงทำให้ไม่มีใครสนใจที่จะช่วยทำกฎหมายให้เป็นกฎหมายจนเป็นความเคยชิน และถ้าเรื่องนี้ละเลยได้ เรื่องอื่นก็ละเลยได้เช่นกัน
                ตัวอย่างอีกประการหนึ่งที่ชัดเจนก็คือการข้ามถนนครับ กฎหมายจราจรทางบกมาตรา 104 บัญญัติชัดเจนว่า ภายในระยะไม่เกิน 100 เมตรนับจากทางข้าม ห้ามมิให้คนเดินเท้าข้ามทางนอกทางข้าม โทษปรับ 200 บาทตามมาตรา 147 ครับ แต่ปัญหาเรื่องการบังคับให้เป็นไปตามกฎหมายก็เป็นทำนองเดียวกันกับเรื่องบุหรี่นี่แหละครับ  ดังนั้น จึงไม่แปลกที่จะเห็นพ่อแม่จูงลูกข้ามถนนใต้สะพานลอยเสมอ
                ดังนั้น เวลาร่างกฎหมายให้ลองนึกเสมอครับว่าเราจะกำหนดกลไกในการบังคับการให้เป็นไปตามกฎหมายได้อย่างมีประสิทธิภาพได้อย่างไร อย่าสักแต่ลอก ๆ แบบกันมา ... โลกเดี๋ยวนี้หมุนไวมาก ถ้านักร่างกฎหมายเอาแต่ลอกแบบเก่า ๆ จะตามโลกไม่ทัน ... แล้วก็ให้ระวังไว้ด้วยครับว่าถ้าถึงวันที่เราตามโลกไม่ทัน เราคงจะสูญพันธุ์ไปในที่สุด

คำแปล พรบ ความรับผิดอันเกิดจากสินค้าที่ไม่ปลอดภัย พ.ศ. 2551


Translation

LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES EMERGING FROM
UNSAFE PRODUCT ACT,
B.E. 2551 (2008)
                       

BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ, REX.
Given on the 13th Day of February B.E. 2551;
Being the 63rd Year of the Present Reign.

                        His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is graciously pleased to proclaim that:
                        Whereas it is expedient to have the law on liability for damages emerging from unsafe product;
                        This Act contains certain provisions in relation to the restriction of right and liberty of person, in respect of which section 29 in conjunction with section 43 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, so permit by virtue of law;
                        Be it, therefore, enacted by the King, by and with the advice and consent of the National Legislative Assembly, as follows:

                        Section 1.  This Act is called the “Liability for Damages Emerging from Unsafe Product Act, B.E. 2551 (2008)”.

                        Section 2.  This Act shall come into force as from the day following the date of its publication in the Government Gazette.[1]

                      Section 3.  If the provisions of other laws specifically prescribe the liability for damagess emerging from unsafe product and such provisions provide more protection to the injured person than the provisions of this Act, such provisions shall be prevailed.

                        Section 4.     In this Act:
                        “Product” mean all sorts of immovable property produced or imported for sale, including agricultural product and electricity, except for the product as prescribed by the Ministerial Regulation;
                        “Agricultural product” means product produced through any kind of such agriculture as paddy farming, farming, gardening, livestock rearing, aquatic animal rearing, sericulture, lac culture, mushroom cultivation, but not including natural product;
                        “Production” means make, mix, blend, improvement, assembly, invent, transformation, change, modification, selection, distribution, freezing or radiation as well as any other act done in similar character;
                        “Injured person” means a person who gets damages emerging from unsafe product;
                        “Damages” means damages emerging from unsafe product irrespective of whether there is damages to life, body, health, sanitary, mental or property, but not including damages to such unsafe product itself;
                        “Mental damages” means hurt, pain, fearfulness, concern, grief, disgrace or any other mental damages with similar nature;
                        “Unsafe product” means a product which causes or may cause damages by its production or design or by failure to provide, or providing false or unclear, method of use, maintenance, warning or information related thereto with regard to condition of such product as well as normal method of use and maintenance of such product which may be expected;
                        “Sell” means sale, distribute, dispose of or exchange for commercial purpose, including rent out, hire purchase, provision as well as giving offer, induce or exhibition show for such purpose;
                        “Import” means bring or order the product into the Kingdom for sale;
                        “Entrepreneur” means
                        (1) a producer or a person ordering the production of the product;
                        (2) an importer of the product;
              (3) a seller of product in which its producer, the person ordering the production or importer is unable to identified;
                       (4) a person who uses his name, trade name, trade mark, sign, statement or expresses by whatever means which may make another person to understand that he is a producer, a person who orders the production or an importer of the product.

                        Section 5.     All entrepreneurs shall be liable collectively to the injured person for damages emerging from unsafe product sold to the consumer without regard to their wilfulness or negligence.

                        Section 6.     In calling for collective liability under section 5, the injured person or the person under section 10 shall have to prove that the injured person is damaged from the product of the entrepreneur through normal use or maintenance of such product, but he is not required to prove that such damages emerging from any act of any entrepreneur.  

                        Section 7.     The entrepreneur shall not be liable to damages emerging from unsafe product if he is able to prove that:
                        (1) such product is not unsafe product;
                        (2) the injured person knows that such product is unsafe product; or
                        (3) the damages caused by the using method or maintenance which is not comply with correct and clear method of use, maintenance, warning or information related thereto as provided by the entrepreneur.

                        Section 8.     The producer who produces the product for, and under the order of, another person shall not be liable to damages if he is able to prove that the unsafe cause of the product emerging from design of product prepared by the person who makes production order or from the compliance with the order of such person, and that unsafe cause is unforeseeable, and may not be foreseeable, by the producer.
                          The producer of any part of the product shall not be liable to damages if he is able to prove that the unsafe cause of the product emerging from design or assembly of the product or the determination of method of use, maintenance, warning or information related thereto as provided by the producer.

                      Section 9.     Any agreement between the consumer and the entrepreneur made prior to the emerging of damages to, and any ex parte notification or notice made by the entrepreneur to, waive or limit liability of the entrepreneur on damages emerging from unsafe product shall not be defense as waiver or limitation of liability for damages.
                    For the purpose of this section, the consumer shall have the same meaning as “Consumer” as defined under the law on consumer protection.

                        Section 10.  The Consumer Protection Committee and association and foundation certified by the Consumer Protection Committee under the law on consumer protection shall have the power to bring the case to the Court for and on behalf of the injured person.  In this case, the provisions relating to class action under that law shall apply mutatis mutandis.
                        The class action made for and on behalf of the injured person under paragraph one shall be exempted from all fees other than fee to be paid when the case becomes final.

                        Section 11.  Other than the compensation for wrongful act as prescribed by the Civil and Commercial Code, the Court shall have the power to determine compensation for damages in accordance with the following rules:
                        (1) compensation for mental damages resulting from body, health or sanitary damages of the injured person. If the injured person is death, husband, wife, ascendant or descendant of that person shall be entitled to compensation for mental damages;
                        (2) if it appears that the entrepreneur produces, imports or sells any product by knowing that such product is unsafe or failure to know that upon gross negligent, or the entrepreneur knows that such product is unsafe after production, import or sale, but he fails to provide appropriate measures to prevent the occurrence of damages, the Court shall have the power to order the entrepreneur to pay punitive damages in addition to actual damages determined by the Court.  The punitive damages to be determined shall be the amount at the Court thinks fit, with regard to such circumstances as degree of damages of the injured person, knowledge of the entrepreneur on unsafe cause of the product, the period the entrepreneur conceals the unsafe cause of damages of the product, reaction of the entrepreneur when he acknowledges that the product is unsafe, benefit of the entrepreneur, financial status of the entrepreneur, relief of damages provided by the entrepreneur as well as injured person’s participation in the emerging of such damages, but the total amount of the punitive damages shall not exceeding two times of the actual damages.

                        Section 12.  The claim for compensation of damages emerging from unsafe product under this Act shall be expired after the expiration of three years as from the date the injured person knows of his damages and the liable entrepreneur or ten years as from the date such product has been sold.
                        In the case where damages to live, body, health or sanitary resulting from accumulation of any substance intake into the body of the injured person or the presence of damages takes long period of time, the injured person or the person under section 10 shall claim for compensation of damages within three years as from the date the injured person knows of such damages and the liable entrepreneur, but not exceeding ten years as from the date such damages has known to him.

                       Section 13.  The negotiation on compensation between the entrepreneur and the injured person or the person under section 10, the prescription shall stay until any party cancels such negotiation.

                        Section 14.  The provisions of this Act shall not override the right of the injured person to claim compensation for damages under other laws.

                        Section 15.  The product sold to the consumer prior to the date this Act comes into force shall not be subjected to this Act.

                    Section 16.  The Prime Minister shall have charge and control of the execution of this Act and shall have the power to issue the Ministerial Regulations for the execution of this Act
                        Such Ministerial Regulations shall come into force upon their publication in the Government Gazette.


Countersigned by:
    General Surayud Chulanont
                 Prime Minister

© 2013, Pakorn Nilprapunt, pakorn.nilprapunt@gmail.com <Personal Copyright>    
Remark: Reference to Thai legislation in any jurisdiction shall be made to the Thai version only.  This translation has been made so as to establish correct understanding about this Act to foreigners.




[1]Published in the Government Gazette, Vol. 125, Part 36Kor, dated 20th February B.E. 2551 (2008).

วันพุธที่ 13 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2556

การตีความกฎหมายตามตัวอักษรกับการตีความตามเจตนารมณ์


                                                                                                             ปกรณ์ นิลประพันธ์
             
มาตรา ๔ วรรคหนึ่ง แห่งประมวลกฎหมายแพ่งและพาณิชย์ บัญญัติแนวทางการใช้กฎหมายไว้ว่า “กฎหมายนั้นต้องใช้ในบรรดากรณีซึ่งต้องด้วยบทบัญญัติใด ๆ แห่งกฎหมายตามตัวอักษร หรือตามความมุ่งหมายของบทบัญญัตินั้น ๆ”  ดังนั้น การใช้การตีความบทบัญญัติแห่งกฎหมายจึงต้องพิจารณาตามตัวอักษรเสียก่อนว่าชัดเจนและแปลความเป็นอย่างอื่นได้หรือไม่ หากบทบัญญัติแห่งกฎหมายมีความชัดเจนและไม่อาจแปลความเป็นอย่างอื่นได้ การใช้การตีความต้องดำเนินการให้เป็นไปตามความที่บัญญัติไว้นั้น  อย่างไรก็ดี ในกรณีที่ตัวอักษรของบทบัญญัติแห่งกฎหมายยังไม่ชัดเจนหรือยังอาจแปลความหมายเป็นอย่างอื่นได้อีก การใช้การตีความบทบัญญัติแห่งกฎหมายก็จะต้องพิจารณาถึงความมุ่งหมายหรือเจตนารมณ์ของบทบัญญัตินั้น ๆ

ผู้เขียนขอยกลักษณะของนิติบุคคลซึ่งเป็นผู้ถือหุ้นในบริษัทประกันวินาศภัยและบริษัทประกันชีวิตตามมาตรา ๙ (๒) แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันวินาศภัย พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๕ ซึ่งแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยพระราชบัญญัติประกันวินาศภัย (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ และมาตรา ๑๐ (๒) แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันชีวิต พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๕ ซึ่งแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยพระราชบัญญัติประกันชีวิต (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ เป็นกรณีตัวอย่าง 

ลองเปิดกฎหมายที่ว่านี้ดูนะครับ แล้วจะพบว่าบทบัญญัตินี้กล่าวถึงเฉพาะแต่นิติบุคคล "ที่จดทะเบียนในประเทศไทย" เท่านั้น มิได้กล่าวถึง "นิติบุคคลที่จัดตั้งขึ้นตามกฎหมายเฉพาะ" ไว้ด้วย ทั้งที่ในระบบกฎหมายไทยนั้นมีทั้งนิติบุคคลที่จัดตั้งขึ้นตามประมวลกฎหมายแพ่งและพาณิชย์ และนิติบุคคลที่จัดตั้งขึ้นตามกฎหมายเฉพาะ  ดังนั้น บทบัญญัติแห่งกฎหมายในกรณีนี้จึง "ยังไม่ชัดเจน" ว่าหากนิติบุคคลซึ่งเป็นผู้ถือหุ้นในบริษัทประกันวินาศภัยหรือบริษัทประกันชีวิตเป็นนิติบุคคลที่จัดตั้งขึ้นตามกฎหมายเฉพาะแล้วจะพิจารณากันอย่างไร กรณีนี้จึงเป็นกรณีที่ตัวอักษรของบทบัญญัติแห่งกฎหมายยังไม่ชัดเจน จึงไม่อาจใช้วิธีการตีความกฎหมายตามตัวอักษรมาใช้บังคับในกรณีนี้ได้ หากแต่ต้องพิจารณาตามความมุ่งหมายหรือเจตนารมณ์ของบทบัญญัติดังกล่าวตามนัยมาตรา ๔ วรรคหนึ่ง แห่งประมวลกฎหมายแพ่งและพาณิชย์ ครับ

หากพิจารณาความมุ่งหมายหรือเจตนารมณ์ของมาตรา ๙ (๒) แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันวินาศภัย พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๕ ซึ่งแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยพระราชบัญญัติประกันวินาศภัย (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ และมาตรา ๑๐ (๒) แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันชีวิต พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๕ ซึ่งแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยพระราชบัญญัติประกันชีวิต (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ ตามลำดับแล้ว เห็นว่าบทบัญญัติดังกล่าวมุ่งหมายให้นิติบุคคลซึ่งเป็นผู้ถือหุ้นในบริษัทประกันวินาศภัยและบริษัทประกันชีวิตต้องเป็น “นิติบุคคลไทย” หรือนิติบุคคลที่มีคนไทยเป็นเจ้าของ (Owned) หรือมีอำนาจจัดการ (Controlled) ดังนั้น ในกรณีนิติบุคคลซึ่งจัดตั้งขึ้นตามกฎหมายเฉพาะโดยไม่มีการแบ่งทุนออกเป็นหุ้น และกฎหมายดังกล่าวมีบทบัญญัติว่าด้วยการควบคุมและการบริหารจัดการไว้เป็นการเฉพาะ ก็ต้องถือว่านิติบุคคลดังกล่าวนั้นเป็นนิติบุคคลไทยโดยผลของกฎหมาย โดยมิพักต้องคำนึงว่านิติบุคคลนั้นต้องมีผู้ถือหุ้นหรือมีสัดส่วนการถือหุ้นตามมาตรา ๙ (๒) แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันวินาศภัย พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๕ ซึ่งแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยพระราชบัญญัติประกันวินาศภัย (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ และมาตรา ๑๐ (๒) แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันชีวิต พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๕ ซึ่งแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยพระราชบัญญัติประกันชีวิต (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ หรือไม่   

โดยเหตุผลดังกล่าวข้างต้น หุ้นในบริษัทประกันวินาศภัยหรือบริษัทประกันชีวิตที่ถือโดยนิติบุคคลซึ่งจัดตั้งขึ้นตามกฎหมายเฉพาะนั้นจึงต้องนับว่าเป็นหุ้นที่ถือโดยนิติบุคคลไทยแล้ว และโดยที่นิติบุคคลนั้นจัดตั้งขึ้นตามกฎหมายเฉพาะ และกฎหมายดังกล่าวบัญญัติระบบการควบคุมและการบริหารจัดการไว้เป็นการเฉพาะในกฎหมาย นิติบุคคลไทยดังกล่าวจึงไม่อาจปรับโครงสร้างให้เป็นไปตามมาตรา ๕๗ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันวินาศภัย (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ หรือมาตรา ๕๕ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันชีวิต (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ ได้ เพราะเป็นการกระทำที่ฝ่าฝืนกฎหมายเฉพาะที่จัดตั้งนิติบุคคลนั้นขึ้น  หากไปตีความว่านิติบุคคลไทยซึ่งจัดตั้งขึ้นตามกฎหมายเฉพาะซึ่งทำให้ไม่อาจปรับโครงสร้างให้เป็นไปตามมาตรา ๕๗ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันวินาศภัย (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ หรือมาตรา ๕๕ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันชีวิต (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ ได้ภายในระยะเวลาที่กำหนดนั้น เป็นการกระทำที่ฝ่าฝืนหรือไม่ปฏิบัติตามมาตรา ๕๗ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันวินาศภัย (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ หรือมาตรา ๕๕ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันชีวิต (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ แล้วแต่กรณี จะเป็นการตีความที่ส่งผลประหลาด

ผู้เขียนมีความเห็นเพิ่มเติมว่า มาตรา ๙ (๒) แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันวินาศภัย พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๕ ซึ่งแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยพระราชบัญญัติประกันวินาศภัย (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ และมาตรา ๑๐ (๒) แห่งพระราชบัญญัติประกันชีวิต พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๕ ซึ่งแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมโดยพระราชบัญญัติประกันชีวิต (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑ เป็นตัวอย่างอันดีที่แสดงให้เห็นถึงปัญหาในการร่างกฎหมายที่ทำให้ต้องมีการตีความเพื่อ "อุดช่องว่างของกฎหมาย" ซึ่งปัญหานี้อาจเกิดขึ้นจากการที่ผู้ยกร่างกฎหมายมิได้คำนึงถึงความมีอยู่ของนิติบุคคลซึ่งจัดตั้งขึ้นตามกฎหมายเฉพาะ หรืออาจเห็นว่ากรณีนิติบุคคลซึ่งจัดตั้งขึ้นตามกฎหมายเฉพาะไม่มีปัญหานี้จึงไม่ได้บัญญัติไว้ด้วย แต่ไม่ว่าจะอย่างไรก็ตาม เมื่อไม่มีบทบัญญัติเกี่ยวกับนิติบุคคลซึ่งจัดตั้งขึ้นตามกฎหมายเฉพาะรองรับไว้ให้ชัดเจน จึงมีผู้นำหลักการตีความกฎหมายที่ว่าการที่กฎหมายหรือสัญญาระบุบุคคลหรือสิ่งใดไว้แล้ว ย่อมไม่ประสงค์ให้กินความถึงบุคคลหรือสิ่งอื่น (Expressio unius personae vel rei, est exclusio alterius) มาปรับใช้แก่กรณีโดยไม่ทราบถึงหลักเกณฑ์ในการใช้หลักการตีความดังกล่าวว่าเขาใช้กับเฉพาะกรณีที่บทบัญญัติแห่งกฎหมายหรือสัญญามีความชัดเจนและไม่อาจแปลความเป็นอย่างอื่นได้อีกแล้วเท่านั้น 

ดังนั้น เวลาทำร่างกฎหมายที่ต้องเขียนเกี่ยวกับนิติบุคคล อย่าลืมนิติบุคคลที่จัดตั้งขึ้นตามกฎหมายเฉพาะด้วยนะครับ จะได้ไม่เกิดปัญหามาตีความกันอีก และเวลาตีความอย่าลืมเรื่องที่เล่ามาข้างต้นนี้ด้วยนะครับ

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 7 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2556

คำแปล พรบ สภาเกษตรกรแห่งชาติ พ.ศ. 2553



Translation (c) 2013 by Pakorn Nilprapunt

NATIONAL AGRICULTURERS COUNCIL ACT,
B.E. 2553 (2010)
                       

BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ, REX.
Given on the 16th Day of November B.E. 2553;
Being the 65th Year of the Present Reign.

                        His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is graciously pleased to proclaim that:
                        Whereas it is expedient to have the law on national agriculturers council;
                    Be it, therefore, enacted by the King, by and with the advice and consent of the National Assembly, as follows:

                        Section 1.   This Act is called the “National Agriculturers Council Act, B.E. 2553 (2010)”.

                        Section 2.   This Act shall come into force as from the day following the date of its publication in the Government Gazette.[1]

                        Section 3.      In this Act:
                        “Agriculture” means cultivating soil, raising livestock, fishery and other related activities to be notified, with the advice of the National Agriculturers Council, in the Government Gazette by the Minister;
                        “Agriculturer” means a person who practically engaged in agriculture;
                        “Agriculturers’ organisation” means a group of agriculturers which is registered under this Act;
                        “Master Plan” means the Master Plan for Agricultural Development;
                        Changwat[2] Agriculturers Council” includes Bangkok Agriculturers Council;
                        “Office” means the Office of the National Agriculturers Council;
                        Changwat Agriculturers Office” includes Bangkok Agriculturers Office;
                        “Director of the Office of Changwat Agriculturers Council” includes the Director of the Office of Bangkok Agriculturers Council;
                        “Secretary-General” means the Secretary-General of the National Agriculturers Council
                        “Minister” means the Minister having charge and control of the execution of this Act.

                        Section 4.      The Prime Minister shall have charge and control of the execution of this Act, and the Minister of Agricultural and Cooperatives shall have charge and control of the execution of this Act particularly to the execution of the transitory provisions.
                        The Prime Minister and the Minister of Agricultural and Cooperatives shall have the power to issue the Notifications for the execution of this Act.
                        Such Notifications shall come into force upon their publication in the Government Gazette.

CHAPTER I
National Agriculturers Council
                       

                        Section 5.      There shall be the National Agriculturers Council which consists of the followings:
                        (1) the Chairperson of each Changwat Agriculturers Council as ex officio members;
                        (2) other sixty members as elected, in accordance with the rules, procedure and conditions notified by the National Agriculturers Council and published in the Government Gazette, by the members under (1) from the representatives of agriculturers’ organizations in plant, animal, fishery and other agricultural sectors with regard to the significance and coverage of each agricultural sector;
                        (3) seven qualified members as elected, in accordance with the rules, procedure and conditions notified by the National Agriculturers Council and published in the Government Gazette, by the members under (1) from the persons having knowledge, skill and experience in agriculture. Among this number, there shall be at least one qualified member from each of the following sectors, viz. plant, animal and fishery.
                        Each member under (2) shall also be member of agricultures’ organization registered with the Office in accordance with the rules, procedure and conditions as prescribed by the National Agriculturers Council.

                        Section 6.      Within sixty days as from the date the names of all members of all Changwat Agriculturers Councils have been notified completely, each Changwat Agriculturers Council shall nominate the name of the Chairperson of Changwat Agriculturers Council to Secretary-General. Within thirty days after receiving the names of all Chairpersons, Secretary-General shall organize meeting of the Chairpersons of all Changwat Agriculturers Councils so as to elect the members under section 5 (2).
                        If it is not possible to receive the names of the Chairpersons of all Changwat Agriculturers Councils, but not less than ninety per cent of those names arrived at Secretary-General, there shall be deemed that the members under section 5 (1) compose of the aforesaid number and the process to elect the members under section 5 (2) shall be proceeded.
                        The members under section 5 (1) and the members under section 5 (2) as elected under paragraph two shall further elect the qualified members under section 5 (3).

                 Section 7.      A member of the National Agriculturers Council shall have the qualifications and shall not be under any of the prohibitions as follows:
(1)  being of Thai nationality;
(2)  being of not less than twenty-five years of age;
(3)  being agriculturer who is a member of agriculturers’ organization for not less than one year in case of the member under section 5(2);
(4)  not being bankrupt;
(5)  not being a political official, a person holding political position, a member of local assembly, a local administrator or a committee, advisor or official of a political party;
(6)  not being a government official, officer or employee holding any position of, or receiving monthly salary from, central administration, provincial administration, local administration or other State agencies;
(7)  not being a Buddhist priest, novice, monk or clergy;
(8)  not having been expelled, dismissed, removed or fired from office by government agency or State enterprise or other State agencies or private employer on the ground of malfeasance in office;
(9)  not being of unsound mind or of mental infirmity;
(10)   not having been sentenced by a final judgment to imprisonment except where he has been discharged for a period of not less than five years or such offence had been committed through negligence or a petty offence.

                        Section 8.      A member of the National Agriculturers Council holds office for a term of four years as from the date his name has been notified under section 15 and shall not hold office for more than two consecutive terms.
                        A member of the National Agriculturers Council who vacates office at the end of the term of office shall continue his duties until the notification of the names of the members of the new National Agriculturers Council.

                        Section 9.      In addition to vacating office at the end of the term of office under section 8, a member of the National Agriculturers Council vacates office upon:
(1)  death;
(2)  resignation;
(3)  being disqualified or being under any of the prohibitions under section 7;
(4)  being dismissed by the vote of not less than two-thirds of the existing number of members of the National Agriculturers Council;
(5)  resign from the agriculturers’ organization that he represents under section 5 (2);
(6)  having been sentenced by a final judgment to imprisonment except for an offence committed through negligence or a petty offence;
(7)  being absent, or failing to attend, the meeting for more than five consecutive meetings without reasonable ground.
 
                        Section 10.   In the case where a member of the National Agriculturers Council vacates office before term but the remaining members are more than one-half of the total numbers of the members, the election for the fulfillment of the vacancy shall be held in accordance with the rules, procedure and conditions as prescribed by section 5.  In this case, the elected person shall be in office for the remaining term of office of the person he replaces.  If the term of office of the remaining members is less than ninety days, such election shall be omitted.
                        During the period of vacancy under paragraph one, the National Agriculturers Council shall consist of the remaining member.
                        If more than one-half of the total numbers of the members of the National Agriculturers Council vacate office before term, there shall be deemed that such National Agriculturers Council is dissolved and the election for the new members of the National Agriculturers Council shall be made within ninety days.

                        Section 11.   The National Agriculturers Council shall have the powers and duties as follows:
                        (1) to recommend the Council of Ministers in laying down a policy for the development of, and to strengthen capacity of, agriculturers and agriculturers’ organization in accordance with the philosophy of sufficient economy, in agricultural production, processing and marketing and in protection of land for agriculture;
                          (2) to recommend the Council of Ministers in laying down a policy and guideline for the promotion on, and the development of, integrated farming, agro-forestry system, natural agriculture system, mixed agriculture, organic agriculture and other forms of agriculture;
                     (3) to give advice and recommendation to the Council of Ministers on the solutions for agriculturers’ problems, agricultural development as well as conservation and utilization of natural resources and environment;
                        (4) to propose the Master Plan to the Council of Ministers;
                        (5) to recommend the Council of Ministers to issue guidelines for promotion and support research and knowledge development in local plants and animals genetics, agriculture products and products produced from agriculture product processing;
                        (6) to recommend the Council of Ministers the guideline for implementation of agricultural price and production risks insurance, including agriculturers’ welfare;
                        (7) to promote corporation and connection with government and private sectors, domestically and abroad, as well as international organization for agricultural development;
                        (8) to develop and fortify agriculturers and agriculturers’ organization;
                        (9) to render opinion on policies, laws or arrangements related to, and affect with, agriculturers;
                        (10)   to give advice and recommendation to agriculturers and agriculturers’ organization and upon the matter submitted by Changwat Agriculturers Office;
                        (11)   to appoint committee, sub-committee, working group or advisor as necessary;
                        (12)   to perform any act as prescribed by law to be the powers and duties of the National Agriculturers Council or as entrusted by the Council of Mnisters.

                        Section 12.   The Council of Ministers shall prepare the National Agriculturers Council a written report in response of the proposal made thereby.

                        Section 13.   The National Agriculturers Council may, in relation to the matter dealing with common interests of agriculturers, request the Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister or any related portfolio Minister in order to express the Council’s opinion thereon.

                        Section 14.   There shall be a President and two Vice-Presidents of the National Agriculturers Council.

                        Section 15.   Whenever the National Agriculturers Council consists of the completion numbers of members under section 5 or deemed to be consisted of the completion of numbers of members under section 6, the Secretary-General shall notify the names of all members of the National Agriculturers Council in the Government Gazette.
                        Within thirty days as from the date of notification of the names of all members of the National Agriculturers Council, the Secretary-General shall convene the first meeting of the National Agriculturers Council.
                        At the first meeting, the oldest member shall preside over the meeting and conduct an election of the President and Vice-Presidents from the members under section 5 (1).  The vote shall be made by a majority of votes.

                        Section 16.   The President of the National Agriculturers Council shall convene the meeting one session in every two months.  Each session shall not longer than seven days.  In case of urgent and necessity, the President of the National Agriculturers Council may convene the meeting as extraordinary session.  If not less than one-third of the total numbers of the members of the National Agriculturers Council submit a written request to the President to convene the meeting in order to consider any necessary matter, the President shall convene the meeting.

                        Section 17.   At a meeting of the National Agriculturers Council, the presence of not less than one-half of the total numbers of the existing members at the meeting shall constitute the quorum.
                        At a meeting, if the President is absent or unable to perform his duties, the First or Second Vice-President shall preside over the meeting consecutively.
                        If the President and both Vice-Presidents are absent or unable to perform their duties, the members shall elect a member under section 5 (1) to preside over the meeting.
                        A decision shall be made by a majority of votes.  In casting vote, each member shall have one vote.  In case of equality of votes, the person who presides over the meeting shall have an additional vote as a casting vote.

                        Section 18.   The President of the National Agriculturers Council shall have the duty to conduct the business of the National Agriculture Council in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the National Agriculture Council, including the following powers and duties:
                        (1) to conduct the meeting and to have any order as necessary to maintain peaceful condition of the meeting;
                        (2) to control and conduct the business of the National Agriculturers Council to be in accordance with the regulations and resolutions of the National Agriculturers Council;
                        (3) the powers and duties as prescribed by laws.
                        The Vice-Presidents of the National Agricultures Council shall have the powers and duties as entrusted by the President of the National Agricultures Council and shall act on his behalf when the President is absent or unable to perform his duties.

                        Section 19.   The members of the National Agriculturers Council and the members of its committee, sub-committee or working group shall be entitled to the meeting allowance, per diem, expense and other benefits in response of the performance of their duties under this Act in accordance with the regulation prescribed by the National Agricultural Council as approved by the Ministry of Finance.

CHAPTER II
Office of the National Agriculturers Council
                       

                        Section 20.   There shall establish the Office of the National Agriculturers Council as State agency, being a juristic person which is not a government agency or State enterprise under the law on budgetary procedure or other laws, to be called “ONAC” in brief.  The Office shall be located in Bangkok or its adjacent area.  ONAC shall have the following powers and duties:
                        (1) to be responsible for secretarial work and being secretariat unit of the National Agriculturers Council;
                        (2) to gather, study, conduct research, develop and conduct analysis information in relation to the business of the National Agriculturers Council, Changwat Agriculturers Council and the Office of Changwat Agriculturers Council;
                        (3) to make policies, Master Plan and activities of the National Agriculturers Council known to agriculturers and agriculturers’ organization;
                        (4) to conduct registration of agriculturers and agriculturers’ organization;
                        (5) to provide database on registration of agriculturers and agriculturers’ organization and information system in relation to agriculture and other related activities, viz. management, research, production, processing, marketing and price domestically and abroad, as well as the use of geological information;
                        (6) to be focal point for cooperation with Changwat Agriculturers Council and other related agencies;
                        (7) to prepare annual report of the National Agriculturers Council;
                        (8) to perform any other duty entrusted by the National Agricultures Council.
                        The performance of powers and duties of the Office under paragraph one shall be in accordance with the rule and procedure on good governance as published by the Minister in the Government Gazette with advice of the National Agriculturers Council.

                        Section 21.  The Office is not subjected to the law on labor protection, the law on labor relation, the law on social security and the law on worker’s compensation, but Secretary-General, officer and employee of the Office shall be entitled to benefit of not less than the benefits under the law on labor protection, the law on social security and the law on worker’s compensation.

                        Section 22.   The President of the National Agriculturers Council shall appoint the Secretary-General from the person with the qualifications and without prohibited characteristics as follows:
(1)  being of Thai nationality;
(2)  being of not less than thirty-five years of age, but not more than sixty years of age on the application date;
(3)  having apparent knowledge, skill, past-works and experience which are beneficial for the works of the Office;
(4)  not being under the any prohibited characteristics under section 7 (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10);
(5)  not being employed by private organization to do routine work and receive monthly salary.
                        The rules, procedure and conditions for selection of the Secretary-General shall be prescribed by the National Agriculturers Council.

                        Section 23.   An appointment, dismissal, conditions for probation, performance of office and performance assessment of Secretary-General shall be in accordance with the provisions of contract as determined by the National Agriculturers Council.  The term of contract shall no longer than four years.
                        Secretary-General shall be entitled to monthly salary, wage or other pays as determined by the National Agriculturers Council.

                        Section 24.   The National Agriculturers Council shall have the power to issue regulations or rules in relation to internal administration of the Office and Changwat Agriculturers Office.  Such power includes:
                        (1) the imposition of internal structure of the Office and Changwat Agriculturers Office;
                        (2) the issuance of regulations or rules in concerning with qualifications, selection, recruitment, appointment, position determination, salary or wage determination, determination of pension and other benefits, salary or wage adjustment, removal from office, discipline and disciplinary sanction, dismissal from office, petition and appeal against sanction of officer and employee;
                        (3) the issuance of regulations or rules, with the approval of the Ministry of Finance, relating to financial management, procurement and properties of the Office and Changwat Agriculturers Office. 

                        Section 25.   Secretary-General shall be a commander of the officer and employee and shall be responsible for the administration of the Office and Changwat Agriculturers Office to be in accordance with the objective of the National Agriculturers Council, regulations, rules and policies of the National Agriculturers Council under supervision of the President of the National Agriculturers Council.

                        Section 26.   Secretary-General shall be representative of the Office in relation to any activity dealing with other persons.

                        Section 27.   Secretary-General shall appoint not more than two officers of the Office as his first and second Deputy Secretary-General to assist him in the performance of duties.  In the case where the Secretary-General becomes vacant and the new Secretary-General has not been appointed yet, or where the Secretary-General is unable to perform his duties temporarily, the President of the National Agriculturers Council shall appoint the first Deputy Secretary-general to be Acting Secretary-General.  If the Secretary-General and the first Deputy Secretary-General are unable to perform their duties, the President of the National Agriculturers Council shall appoint the second Deputy Secretary-General to be Acting Secretary-General.
                    The Acting Secretary-General shall have the same powers and duties as Secretary-General.

                        Section 28.   The Office shall have the following incomes:
                        (1) grant under section 29;
                      (2) aids received from State agency or private sector which relates to agricultural promotion and development;
                        (3) donated money or properties;
                        (4) fruits and other incomes.
                        Incomes of the Office shall not be remitted to the Ministry of Finance under the law on treasury balance, the law on budgetary procedure or other laws.

                        Section 29.   The Office shall make a request for grant from the government in accordance with the resolution of the National Agriculturers Council for the operation of the National Agriculturers Council and Changwat Agriculturers Council.
                        The government shall prepare grant in appropriate amount for the operation of the National Agriculturers Council and Changwat Agriculturers Council.
                        The grant under this section shall be paid in accordance with the regulations determined by the National Agriculturers Council with the approval of the Ministry of Finance.

                    Section 30.   The Office shall prepare and submit balance sheet, financial statement and account to the auditor within ninety days as from the ending date of each accounting year.
                        The Office of the Auditor General shall be auditor of the Office and shall examine and certify all accounts and financial statements of the Office, including all payments or utilization of properties of the Office.  In this regard, the Office of the Auditor General shall review as to whether such payments and utilization are in accordance with their objectives, value for money and produce the targeted outcomes.  The report of the audit shall be tabled to the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Council of Ministers without delay.

CHAPTER III
Changwat Agriculturers Council
                       

                        Section 31.   There shall establish Changwat Agriculturers Council, consisting of the followings:
                        (1) sixteen elected members.  If any Changwat has more than sixteen Amphoe[3], the number of elected member shall be equal to the number of Amphoe in that Changwat;
                        (2) five qualified members elected by the members under (1) from the persons with knowledge and skill in agriculture.  Among this number, there shall be at least one qualified member from each of the following sectors, viz. plant, animal and fishery.
                        The Office shall organize the election for the members under (1) and (2) in accordance with the rules, procedure and conditions notified by the National Agriculturers Council in the Government Gazette.

                    Section 32.   Whenever Changwat Agriculturers Council consists of the completion number of members under section 31, the Secretary-General shall, within fifteen days, notify the names of all members of Changwat Agriculturers Council in the Government Gazette.

                        Section 33.   Changwat Agriculturers Council shall have the powers and duties as follows:
                        (1) to develop and fortify agriculturers and agriculturers’ organization within Changwat;
                        (2) to integrate policies and implementation of agriculturers’ organization, agriculturers, research institute, education institute and State agencies;
                        (3) to promote and support the assembly in any form of agriculturers’ organizations, agriculturers’ groups and youth agriculturers within Changwat;
                        (4) to submit Changwat Agricultural Development Plan to National Agriculturers Council for integration with those of others as the Master Plan for further submission to the Council of Ministers;
                        (5) to support and promote education, training and technology transfer to agriculturers and youth agriculturers in order to increase their capabilities in agriculture systematically and sustainably;
                        (6) to recommend policies and guidelines for development of, and for solving problems embedded with, agricultural sector, including unfair price of agricultural products, to the National Agriculturers Council;
                        (7) to give advice and recommendation to agriculturers and agriculturers’ organization;
                        (8) to appoint working group to do any act for the achievement of the objectives of this Act;
                        (9) to perform any act entrusted by the National Agriculturers Council.

                        Section 34.   A member of each Changwat Agriculturers Council shall have the qualifications and shall not being under any of the prohibitions as follows:
                        (1) being an agriculturer having domicile in that Changwat;
                        (2) being of Thai nationality;
                        (3) being of not less than twenty-five years of age;
                        (4) not being under any of the prohibitions under section 7 (4), (5), (6). (7), (8), (9) and (10).

                        Section 35.   There shall be a Chairperson and two Vice- Chairpersons of Changwat Agriculturers Council.
                        Within thirty days as from the date of notification of the names of all members of Changwat Agriculturers Council under section 32, the Office of Changwat Agriculturers Council shall convene the first meeting of Changwat Agriculturers Council in order to elect the Chairperson and Vice- Chairpersons of each Changwat Agriculturers Council.  In this case, the provisions of section 15 paragraph three shall apply mutatis mutandis.

                        Section 36.   The Chairperson of Changwat Agriculturers Council shall have the powers and duties to conduct the activities of Changwat Agriculturers Council to be in accordance with the regulation of the National Agriculturers Council and Changwat Agriculturers Council.
                        The Vice- Chairpersons of Changwat Agriculturers Council shall have the powers and duties as entrusted by the Chairperson of Changwat Agriculturers Council and shall be Acting Chairperson of Changwat Agriculturers Council in the case where the Chairperson of Changwat Agriculturers Council is absent or unable to perform his duties.

                        Section 37.   The provisions of section 8, section 9, section 10, section 17 and section 19 shall apply to Changwat Agriculturers Council mutatis mutandis.

 CHAPTER IV
Office of Changwat Agriculturers Council
                       

                        Section 38.   There shall establish the Office of Changwat Agriculturers Council, to be called “OCAC” in brief, having the powers and duties as follows:
                        (1) to be responsible for secretarial work and being secretariat unit of Changwat Agriculturers Council;
                        (2) to gather, study and analyze information in relation to the business of Changwat Agriculturers Council;
                        (3) to make agriculturers and agriculturers’ organization known to policies, Changwat Agricultural Development Plan and activities of Changwat Agriculturers Council;
                        (4) to provide database and public relation in order to disseminate information, output and knowledge related to agricultural production, product, process and market, domestically and abroad;
                        (5) to be focal point for cooperation with agriculturers, agriculturers’ organization and other related agencies;
                        (7) to prepare annual report of Changwat Agriculturers Council;
                        (8) to perform any other duty entrusted by the National Agricultures Council or Changwat Agriculturers Council.

                        Section 39.   Secretary-General shall appoint an officer of the Office to be the Director of the Office of Changwat Agriculturers Council.

                        Section 40.   The Director of the Office of Changwat Agriculturers Council shall be commander of officer and employee attached therewith and shall be responsible, under control of the Secretary-General and under supervision of the Chairperson of Changwat Agriculturers Council, for the administration of the Office of Changwat Agriculturers Council to be in accordance with the objectives, regulations, rules and policies determined by the National Agriculturers Council.

CHAPTER V
Master Plan for Agricultural Development
                       

                        Section 41.   The National Agriculturers Council shall, by consultation with stakeholders, prepare the Master Plan that having connectivity with Changwat Master Plan.  The Master Plan shall compose at least of the following matters:
                        (1) capacity development for, and promotion and support of, the assembly of agriculturers, agriculturers’ organization, agriculturers’ group and youth agriculturers in accordance with the philosophy of sufficient economy;
                        (2) promotion, development and protection of agricultural area and guideline for development qualify of soil and for land use through the promotion and protection of ownership or other rights of agriculturers in land for the purpose of agriculture;
                        (3) fair price of agriculture products whereby agriculture products shall be traded at their highest possible prices;
                        (4) water resources development and agricultural irrigation management;
                        (5) conservation, rehabilitation and utilization of natural resources, environment and biological diversity for agriculture;
                        (6) study, research and develop local wisdom and plant and animal genetics as well as technological innovation, and transfer knowledge emerged thereby for the purpose of agriculture and agro-industry;
                        (7) accession to capital and best practices to solve debt problem of agriculturers;
                        (8) promotion and protection of agriculturers’ rights, and rights and role of agriculturers in relation to their occupations and accession to resources which is necessary for their occupations;
                        (9) creation of agriculturers’ organization network and creation of connectivity and cooperation in agricultural production, process, market and consumption for living among agriculturers’ organization network, public sector and private sector;
                        (10)  promotion and support of education, training, technology transfer in agriculture and management to agriculturers and youth agriculturers;
                        (11)  improvement of management of the existing funds related to agriculture so as to provide assistances to agriculturers systematically and unduplicated, and the establishment of the new fund for the fulfillment of that purpose.
                        The Master Plan under paragraph one may compose of clear practical details and timeframe for implementation.

                        Section 42.   The National Agriculturers Council shall submit the Master Plan to the Prime Minister for deliberation prior to further submit to the Council of Ministers for consideration.
                        The Prime Minister shall complete the deliberation under paragraph one within thirty days.

                        Section 43.   The National Agriculturers Council shall have the powers and duties in monitoring and examining an implementation of the Master Plan, and shall report problems and impediments as well as solution thereon to the Prime Minister for consideration.

Transitory Provisions
                       

                        Section 44.   At the outset which shall not more than two years as from the date this Act comes into force, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives shall be Acting Secretary-General and Acting Director of the Office of Bangkok Agriculturers Council, and Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Officer shall be Acting Director of the Office of Changwat Agriculturers Council.
                         The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives shall assign officials of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives or Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Office to perform the duties at the National Agriculturers Council or Changwat Agriculturers Council, as the case may be, temporarily.

                        Section 45.   The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives and Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Officer shall organize an election of the agriculturers’ representatives under section 46, section 47, section 48 and section 49 for the members of Changwat Agriculturers Council.

                        Section 46.   The names of agriculturers having the right to vote for the representatives of agriculturers at village level bases upon the agriculturers’ household registered with the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives.  In this regard, all sui juris agriculturers of each registered agriculturers’ household shall be deemed to have the right to vote.  In this case, the name of the additional registered agriculturers under paragraph two shall also be taken into consideration.
                        Within thirty days as from the date this Act comes into force, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives and Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Officer shall call for the registration of the sui juris agriculturers who have not been registered yet but desire to vote.  The registration period shall not less than thirty days.
                        Within sixty days as from the date this Act comes into force, the Office of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives and Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Office shall notify the names of agriculturers who have the rights to vote for the representatives of agriculturers at village level of each area.

                        Section 47.   Within thirty days as from the date the names of agriculturers have been notified under section 46 paragraph three, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives and Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Officer shall organize an election for a representative of agriculturers of each village who have qualifications under section 34.
                       Within fifteen days as from the election date for a representative of agriculturers at village level, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives and Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Officer shall notify the names of the elected representatives.

                        Section 48.   Within thirty days as from the date of notification of the names of the elected representatives at village level under section 47 paragraph two, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives and Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Officer shall organize an election for the representatives of agriculturers at Tambon[4] level.  At an election, the agriculturers’ representatives at village level in each Tambon shall elect one among themselves to be Tambon’s representative.
                       Within fifteen days as from the election date for a representative of agriculturers at Tambon level, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives and Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Officer shall notify the names of the elected representatives.

                        Section 49.   Within thirty days as from the date of notification of the names of the elected representatives at Tambon level under section 48 paragraph two, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives and Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Officer shall organize an election for the representatives of agriculturers at Changwat level.  At an election, the agriculturers’ representatives at Tambon level in each Amphoe shall elect one among themselves to be Amphoe’s representative.
                        If any Changwat consists of less than sixteen Amphoe, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives and Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Officer shall organize the agriculturers’ representatives at Tambon level under section 48 paragraph two elect  among themselves for sixteen agriculturers’ representatives which consist of at least one representative for each Amphoe.  In this regard, the ratio of representatives of each Amphoe shall be varied as the number of registered agricultures of each Amphoe.

                Section 50.   Within fifty days as from the election date of agriculturers’ representatives under section 49 paragraph two, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives and Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Officer shall notify the list of agriculturers’ representatives elected as members of Changwat Agriculturers Council and shall report the Minister of Agricultural and Cooperatives for appointment.  The names of the appointed members of Changwat Agriculturers Council shall be published in the Government Gazette.

                        Section 51.   Within forty-five days as from the date the names of the appointed members of Changwat Agriculturers Council have been published in the Government Gazette, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives and Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Officer shall convene the meeting of each Changwat Agriculturers Council in order to elect among themselves to be Chairperson and Vice- Chairpersons of Changwat Agriculturers Council.

                        Section 52.   At the outset, the Minister shall impose the rules, procedure and conditions for registration of agriculturers’ organization and call for registration in accordance with such rules, procedure and conditions within sixty days as from the date this Act come into force and shall impose the rules, procedure and conditions for election of the members of the first National Agriculturers Council under section 5 (2) and (3).

                        Section 53.   The period for registration of the organization under section 52 shall not less than ninety days but not more than one hundred and fifty days as from the first registration date.
                        The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives shall have the power to register agriculturers’ organization in Bangkok and Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Officer shall have the power to register agriculturers’ organization in other Changwat.

                       Section 54.   Any problem arising from an election shall be decided by Changwat Agricultural and Cooperatives Officer or the Director of Planning and Special Project Division, Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives, as the case may be.
                 An appeal against the decision under paragraph one may be made to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives within fifteen days as from the date of receiving of the decision.
                     The decision on appeal of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives shall be final.


Countersigned by:
      Abhisit Vejjajiva
            Prime Minister



[1]Published in the Government Gazette, Vol. 127, Part 71Kor, dated 19th November B.E. 2553 (2010).
[2]Thai for “Province”
[3]Thai for “District”
[4]Thai for “Sub-district”