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Thailand

Lobbying by Japanese irks industrialists
5-Apr-2005
Free-trade negotiations between Thailand and Japan could collapse if Japanese negotiators continue to lobby Thai politicians instead of dealing with the country’s trade negotiators, business executives warn.
Local manufacturers cry foul over change in stance on steel
5-Apr-2005
Removing protection of hot-rolled steel under the Thai-Japan free trade area (FTA) agreement will create unfair treatment between local steel manufacturers and automotive makers, according to steel manufacturers.
Thai-US FTA will make medicine unaffordable
4-Apr-2005
A Democrat Party MP has expressed fresh concerns over the possible social and economic implications of the free trade agreement currently being negotiated between Thailand and the US.
US-Thailand TIFA (2002)
4-Apr-2005
Somkid calls for commission to study steel-related issues : Now a major obstacle in Japan FTA talks
3-Apr-2005
Thailand and Japan should establish a bilateral commission to examine steel quality standards and product requirements of the domestic auto industry, according to Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
FTA Watch protests trade pact
3-Apr-2005
An advocacy group opposed to bilateral free trade agreements, FTA Watch and several other non-government organisations protested in front of the US Embassy in Bangkok on Friday, ahead of the third round of trade talks scheduled to take place in Pattaya next week.
Thailand: Debate, poll on FTA demanded
2-Apr-2005 Bangkok Post
Two Senate committees are pushing for a general parliamentary debate and public referendum on the proposed Thai-US free trade agreement (FTA), which is likely to affect people from all walks of life, farming, investment, intellectual property, environment and national sovereignty.
FTA talks, and the right to know
2-Apr-2005 Bangkok Post
The third round of talks towards a bilateral free trade agreement between the US and Thailand opens in Pattaya on Monday, against vocal clamouring for public participation in the process. The Thaksin administration would do better to absorb the decibels from FTA critics by opening rather than closing the door on them.
Japan, Thailand strike pact on FTA talks’ farm aspects
31-Mar-2005
Japan and Thailand have struck a basic deal on the contentious farm products segment of trade talks, Japanese government sources said Wednesday.
Japan, Thailand strike pact on FTA talks’ farm aspects
31-Mar-2005 Japan Times
Japan and Thailand have struck a basic deal on the contentious farm products segment of trade talks, Japanese government sources said Wednesday. The deal is a major step toward striking a bilateral free-trade agreement as early as next month.
Thai govt urged to remove medicines from FTA deals
31-Mar-2005 TNA
Non governmental organizations (NGOs) yesterday made an impassioned plea to the government to remove the subject of medicines from negotiations on the proposed Thai-US free trade area (FTA), warning that Thai patients suffering from chronic conditions could be hit with sky-high costs for medication.
Open letter from civil society on the US-Thailand FTA negotiations
29-Mar-2005 FTA Watch
On 4-8 April 2005, negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Thai and the US will take place in Pattaya. Following two previous rounds in Hawaii, the US is expected to submit demands on remaining issues, the most important of which is the issue of patents. This is a sign-on statement to call on the Thai government to halt the third round of negotiations in order to conduct a through review of the outstanding points and the negotiating position towards the FTA.
Thai FTA accord in sight
24-Mar-2005 Asahi Shimbun
Japan and Thailand are expected to reach basic agreement as early as next week on agricultural, forestry and fishery products, moving closer to the conclusion of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).
Thailand: Govt pushes ahead with EFTA trade liberalization talks
13-Mar-2005 TNA
The Thai Ministry of Commerce is pressing ahead with plans to establish a free trade area (FTA) with Europe, amid hopes that it could boost trade by more than 15 percent each year.
Free trade deal highlights clash over service sector
12-Mar-2005
New Zealand’s free trade agreement with Thailand, which is due to come into effect on July 1, has no commitments to liberalize trade in services. It only requires the parties to begin negotiations within three years.
FTA with Taiwan seen benefiting Thailand
21-Feb-2005
Manik Mehta argues that Taiwan and Thailand would do well to cement their existing partnership with the formal adoption of a free-trade agreement.
Indo-Thai FTA numbers leave India Inc worried
21-Feb-2005 Financial Express
India Inc’s worst fears are coming true with early reports indicating a 400:1 trade surplus favouring Thailand in the 82 items of the Early Harvest Scheme during the first three months since the Indo-Thai Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into effect from September 1, 2004.
Japan may accept more workers from Thailand
14-Feb-2005 Japan Times
The Japanese government is considering allowing in more Thai workers by relaxing employment conditions for cooks, masseurs and caregivers under a proposed free-trade agreement.
Thai-Japanese FTA threatens RI exports
11-Feb-2005 Jakarta Post
Indonesia risks losing up to US$5 billion in non-oil and gas exports to Japan per year, should Thailand succeed in ongoing negotiations with Asia’s largest economy for a free trade agreement.
Durables industry worried over FTAs and cheap imports
8-Feb-2005
Already reeling under soaring material costs and tight margins, the consumer durables industry has raised concerns about cheap imports from neighbouring countries.