Activists concerned by meeting
23 June 2006
TRADE / THAI-JAPANESE AGREEMENT
Activists concerned by meeting
WORANUJ MANEERUNGSEE & AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK
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. Messages were circulated in non-governmental organisation circles about the move, but Japanese diplomats could not confirm the activists’ concerns about the dinner between Mr Thaksin and Ambassador Hideaki Kobayashi.
A Thai official and a Japanese source said the private dinner at the ambassador’s residence had long been arranged. The Thai guests also included Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the official said.
But the Japanese source declined to comment on whether the FTA was part of the conversation.
However, the source said it was unnecessary for Tokyo to rush into concluding the agreement.
Even though Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Mr Thaksin have signed the pact, it is still ineffective.
The agreement would take effect after ratification by the Japanese parliament, the Diet, the source said.
The ratification process normally takes two or three months but the House is already closed for recess.
The Thai-Japanese FTA was stalled by the political crisis. But caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak hoped it could be sealed before Mr Koizumi steps down in September.
