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Japan-Thailand

The Japanese and Thai governments started exploring a possible bilateral FTA in 2001-2002, but official negotiations didn’t start until February 2004. They concluded their talks in April 2007 and the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) came into force on 1 November 2007.

The FTA is comprehensive, covering trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property rights, agriculture, competition policy, etc.

It was strongly opposed by social movements both in Thailand and Japan. Thai groups mobilised against the FTA’s provisions on patenting life forms, toxic wastes and investment. One special concern was that the Japanese would take advantage of the deal not to ship Thai healthworkers to Japan (as under Japan’s FTAs with the Philippines and Indonesia) but to operate an exclusive health facility in Thailand, for Japanese people, who would be flown in to avail of the best medical personnel Thailand has to offer — who would then be unavailable to treat poorer Thai citizens. A major row also erupted around the legalities of Thailand’s interim military regime pushing through the ratification and entry into force of the deal during their hold on the country after the September 2006 coup. Japanese groups mobilised particularly on the potential of the deal to increase Japan’s exports of toxic waste to Thailand.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Paul the Seeker / CC BY 2.0


Bangkok is ready to ink Thai-Japan FTA : FM
Thai government is now ready to sign Thai-Japan Free Trade Agreement that has been concluded in the previous government, Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram said Wednesday.
Japanese ’upset by delay in FTA’
Japanese investors have voiced concern over the Thai government’s decision to postpone a signing of the Thai-Japanese free trade area (FTA) agreement, according to the Commerce Ministry.
New government urged to go ahead with Thai-Japanese FTA negotiation
A new government should go ahead with a negotiation for a signing of the Thai-Japanese free trade area agreement to boost bilateral trade and investment of both countries, according to a top private-sector executive.
Thai coup puts FTA, investment in doubt
Tuesday’s bloodless coup in Thailand has left a free-trade agreement negotiated between Tokyo and Bangkok up in the air, a senior Japanese official said Thursday as businesses waited for the dust to settle.
Thaksin may sign Japan FTA
Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is considering whether to sign the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement in September as requested by Tokyo, a member of the Thai negotiating team said. Meanwhile, a Commerce Ministry official said that overall there are few advantages for Thailand in the agreement.
New government urged to accelerate opening of FTA with Japan
The new government should rush to go ahead with the opening of the planned free trade area (FTA) with Japan before Thailand loses markets to trading rivals, according to a top executive of the textile and garment industry.
Activists concerned by meeting
Activists say they suspect Thailand and Japan were trying to speed up the conclusion of their stalled Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in a meeting last night between caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the Japanese ambassador.
FTA Watch letter to Japan PM on JTEPA
FTA Watch would like to call upon the Japanese Government to explain its position clearly to the international community and to reassure the Thai people that it will not take advantage of their situation by signing the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement with the Thai caretaker Government
FTA could be met with court action
Thai citizens could file a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court if the caretaker government signs a free trade agreement with Japan, said Somchai Preechasinlapakun, dean of law at Chiang Mai University.
Thailand-Japan FTA off until 2007
Thailand’s Permanent Secretary for Commerce Karun Kittisataporn said the Thai-Japanese FTA will be signed only after the new Thai government takes office. This almost certainly means next year, as the new general election is likely to be put off until later this year.