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Thailand

Political problems no threat to FTAs, says Kantathi
9-Aug-2006
Thailand yesterday dismissed news reports that political problems at home had delayed negotiations on free-trade agreements (FTAs) among members of the regional Bimstec trade bloc.
’New Thai govt may push forward BIMSTEC FTA’
7-Aug-2006 Financial Express
The sagging negotiations on the proposed BIMSTEC Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement are likely to get momentum after a new government is installed in Thailand through October 18 elections, the Thai foreign minister said in the city Sunday, report agencies.
Anti-FTA bodies join forces against US deals
1-Aug-2006 Bangkok Post
Thailand’s anti-FTA movements have formed an alliance with counterparts in other countries including South Korea, Costa Rica and Colombia against US efforts to strike bilateral trade agreements across the globe.
Chinese Flower Power Hits Thai Growers
31-Jul-2006
On the misty hill slopes of northern Thailand the chill in the air encourages roses to grow to a size larger than apples. Hundreds of these large blooms, in colours ranging from red and crimson to orange and white, are harvested daily to feed the flower markets of Bangkok.
FTAs may not be worth their weight, says academic
20-Jul-2006 Bangkok Post
Thailand’s benefits from bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) may not be worth the cost, according to an academic.
Thailand : US FTAs push Thai garment exporter out of the country
16-Jul-2006 Fibre 2 Fashion
Thai garment manufacturers are currently on tenter hooks as the US goes about concluding Free Trade Agreements with different countries having apparel and textile manufacturing bases.
Thai-US FTA talks left for new Thai govt
13-Jul-2006 Bangkok Post
Thailand’s current caretaker government has decided to leave new rounds of the Thai-US FTA talks to the new government after the next general election so that the parliament and the public can fully participate in the talks, according to the Thai foreign minister.
Thaksin may sign Japan FTA
11-Jul-2006 The Nation
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.
US says FTA talks must be pursued
10-Jul-2006
President of the US-Asean Business Council Matt Daley is to propose a continuation of bilateral trade talks between Thailand and the United States, despite the Kingdom’s political deadlock, when he meets caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripi-tak in Washington today.
Thailand’s attractiveness as a small-car hub
3-Jul-2006
Rising fuel prices and unprecedented competition among automakers have resulted in some distinct trends that are sweeping the global markets. The most noticeable among them are a growing preference toward smaller cars and the shifting of manufacturing bases to Asia.
USA pressing hard for US-Thai FTA
29-Jun-2006
It is believed that the US was behind the unexpected transfer of William Aldis, who published an article in the Bangkok Post on Jan 9, urging Thailand to think carefully before signing the Free Trade Agreement with the US, because restrictive intellectual property rights under the bilateral trade agreement would prevent Thailand from using affordable locally produced generic drugs. He said anti-viral HIV drugs would be extremely expensive after the FTA went into force. Local manufacturers are of the same view.
Rational debate on FTA nearly impossible
29-Jun-2006
Allegations have surfaced that the Bush administration intervened earlier this year to arrange the transfer out of Thailand of a World Health Organisation representative who published comments critical of the proposed Thai-US free-trade agreement (FTA).
New government urged to accelerate opening of FTA with Japan
26-Jun-2006
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
23-Jun-2006 Bangkok Post
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.
Health officials vow to continue close collaboration with WHO
21-Jun-2006
Public health officials working closely with the World Health Organisation yesterday vowed to continue their strong collaboration with the WHO despite widespread reports of possible interference by Washington in the international body’s administrative affairs. The US government was allegedly behind the abrupt removal of William Aldis, the WHO representative to Thailand, after he wrote of possible adverse impacts Thailand could suffer if it went ahead and signed a free trade agreement with the US in its present state.
US ’behind’ WHO official’s ouster
21-Jun-2006 Bangkok Post
Washington was behind the abrupt removal of a World Health Organisation representative to Thailand after he wrote of possible adverse impacts to Thailand of a free trade agreement with the US, a source said yesterday.
FTA Watch letter to Japan PM on JTEPA
20-Jun-2006 FTA Watch
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
Trade grows under Thai-India FTA
20-Jun-2006
Bilateral trade between Thailand and India has continued to grow after the two countries began implementing the Thai-Indian Free Trade Area (FTA) Agreement in September last year, according to a senior Commerce Ministry official.
Korea FTA threatens Thai leather industry
19-Jun-2006 Bangkok Post
Bangkok is continuing to negotiate with the Seoul government after refusing to sign an Asean-Korea trade pact last month because of Korea’s resistance to opening up its rice market.
World health: A lethal dose of US politics
17-Jun-2006 Asia Times
An Asia Times Online investigation reveals that at the time of his death, World Health Organization (WHO) director general Lee Jong-wook, a South Korean national, had closely aligned himself with the US government and by association US corporate interests, often to the detriment of the WHO’s most vital commitments and positions.