Thai-US Free Trade Agreement Draws Protests

[Jai Dee]

NAKORNRATCHASIMA SENATOR WILL TRAVEL TO CHAING MAI TO PROTEST THE THAI-US FTA NEGOTIATIONS.

Nakorn Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา) Senator Kraisak Chunhawan (ไกรศักดิ์ ชุณหะวัน) prepares to join 49 organizations to inspect Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่) Province, to protest the Thai-US free trade negotiations, expressing belief that the country will be at disadvantage if the deal is signed.

Mr. Kraisak said that he will travel with the groups opposing the Thai-US free trade talks today, adding that he will bring with him information on drawbacks of the FTA to give to protestors. He said that if the deal is inked, the people in the grassroot level will receive impacts. He said that the projects under Sufficiency Economy will not be able to apply to the people. He said that the government should gauge opinions from the public, senators and the MPs, before opening negotiations. He said that nobody knows what issues have been discussed in the negotiations, adding that he fears the public will receive the negative impacts from the deal like the Thai-China FTA and the Thai-Australian FTA. He suspects that those benefiting from the Thai-US FTA will be companies producing drugs used in agriculture

Executive of Amatanakorn (อมตะนคร) industry, Mr. Wikrom Kromdit วิกรม กรมดิษฐ์, said that Thailand will become production base after the Thai-US FTA is signed. He said that the US market will become Thailand’s biggest market. He said that Thailand should sign a FTA deal with the US, but must make sure that the country will not be put at the disadvantage position.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

INTERIOR MINISTER HAS INSTRUCTED RELATED OFFICIALS TO MONITOR THE FTA PROTESTORS' MOVEMENTS

Interior Minister KONGSAK WANTHANA (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) said the preliminary report indicated that 400 people would gather to protest against the Thai-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

He has assigned concerned officials to monitor the movement of protestors to prevent any violence situation. He added that the protestors can demonstrate peacefully, but they should not violate the rights of others.

Air Chief Marshal KONGSAK said he has no idea that certain Senators will also participate in this protest.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

GOVT IS WILLING TO REVEAL THAI-US FTA AGREEMENT

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said that the government is willing to reveal all details concerning the Thai-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He has also assigned ministers to publicize the pros and cons of Thai- US FTA.

The premier said the Thai-US FTA is for the benefit of the country as a whole as the process has been sifted through experts. Recently, the civic sector joined forces against the ongoing Thai-US free trade agreement (FTA) pact by drawing up a petition stating that it does not approve the mandate of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as being a representative of the Thai people in signing the deal.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 January 2006

[astral]

Why does he need to inspect Chiang Mai to make the protest?

Surely he should make his protest in Parliament in Bangkok?

Another excuse for a jolly............

[sriracha john]

Nakorn Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา) Senator Kraisak Chunhawan (ไกรศักดิ์ ชุณหะวัน) prepares to join 49 organizations to inspect Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่) Province, to protest the Thai-US free trade negotiations, expressing belief that the country will be at disadvantage if the deal is signed.

Air Chief Marshal KONGSAK said he has no idea that certain Senators will also participate in this protest.

Now, I hope Khun Kongsak can see the benefits of reading Thaivisa...

Then, he would KNOW that Senator Kraisak was going to the Chiang Mai protest.

The benefits of reading thaivisa knows no bounds....

GOVT IS WILLING TO REVEAL THAI-US FTA AGREEMENT

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said that the government is willing to reveal all details concerning the Thai-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He has also assigned ministers to publicize the pros and cons of Thai- US FTA.

The premier said the Thai-US FTA is for the benefit of the country as a whole as the process has been sifted through experts.

Now what I would like to see is if perhaps we could get Thaksin to "reveal all details concerning" article 234 of the Thai constitution which prohibits him from unilaterally on his own to pursue these FTA's without involving Parliment.

"In all parliamentary democracies it would be impossible for such a big issue to not be reviewed by the parliamentary process," said Kraisak Choonhavan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Senator Kraisak maintains that the U.S.-Thai FTA and other partial FTAs already signed with Australia, China, India and New Zealand go against the Thai constitution because they have not been reviewed by the Senate and lower house of Parliament before being passed into law.

INTERIOR MINISTER HAS INSTRUCTED RELATED OFFICIALS TO MONITOR THE FTA PROTESTORS' MOVEMENTS

Interior Minister KONGSAK WANTHANA (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) said the preliminary report indicated that 400 people would gather to protest against the Thai-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Sorry to pick on the good Air Marshall again, but he may want to check his figures on the number of protestors.... as this is getting to be quite a huge deal in print and on international television news.

Eye-witnesses said that more than 10,000 demonstrators gathered outside the posh Mae Rim Hotel in Chiang Mai, 560 kilometres north of Bangkok, in an effort to derail ongoing talks scheduled Monday through Friday between U.S. and Thai negotiators on setting up an FTA between the two countries.

see Khun Kongsak?.... you really DO need to read thaivisa... but that's ok...

we don't mind pointing things out to you...

Edited January 9, 2006 by sriracha john

[britainmal]

He said that nobody knows what issues have been discussed in the negotiations, adding that he fears the public will receive the negative impacts from the deal like the Thai-China FTA and the Thai-Australian FTA. He suspects that those benefiting from the Thai-US FTA will be companies producing drugs used in agriculture

I guess Thailand wants to sell there products Oversees Tariff free and does not want to open its economy to foreign competion or products. What a great excuse. The Thai people need to be more educated and wake up and stop using this worthless excuse to protect their economy. All the rich Thais run the economy anyway, so why don't the general Thai public go after them and tell them to spread the wealth to the poor. The FTA's that were mentioned were all of the FTA's Thailand signed. I think this is just the anti-foreigner opposition using this as a political game to kick out the TRT. According to this article, Thailand should not have any free trade agreement at all.

[Jai Dee]

CHART THAI LEADER BANHARN EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER FTA NEGOTIATIONS

Chart Thai Party leader BANHARN SILPA-ARCHA (บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา) said his party has assigned its representative to inspect the meeting between the Thai and US committees regarding the Free Trade Agreement negotiations at Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่) Province. The representative will gather the information so as to consider the drawbacks of such agreement.

He added that Chart Thai party does not have adequate amount of information about the matter, and has instructed the government to listen to the opinions of concerned agencies, especially those who are most likely to be affected by the deal.

He mentioned that the government should reconsider before making any decision since it would have to be responsible for the possible negative impacts.

Mr. BANHARN said the government should discuss the matter with the members of the Parliament since it is an important issue.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

Thousands protest against US-Thai trade talks

CHIANG MAI, Thailand (Reuters- 9 January 2006) - Thousands of Thais marched through the northern city of Chiang Mai on Monday to protest a U.S.-Thai free trade pact as officials began a sixth round of negotiations. The protesters, including poor farmers from the drought-plagued northeast and HIV/AIDS patients in Bangkok, marched 1.2 miles from the city's main train station to the U.S. consulate chanting and waving placards.

"We want the whole negotiation process to end because they are not transparent and against the constitution," said Kannikar Kittivechakul of the People's Network Against Free Trade Agreements and Privatizations, which organized the rally.

The group said a free trade pact would result in the privatization of public utilities under U.S. management and farmers would suffer from cheap farm imports while paying more for U.S.-made drugs.

The United States is Thailand's largest trade partner. Thai exports were worth $15 billion in 2004 and imports $7.2 billion.

Trade negotiators resumed talks on Monday. A Thai negotiator said last week services and financial sectors, left aside in early rounds, would be on the table during the week-long meeting.

Pharmaceuticals, another delicate issue, were also likely to be discussed despite opposition from groups which fear Thailand's generic drug industry will be hurt, Thai chief negotiator Nitya Pibulsonggram said.

William Aldis, the World Health Organization representative in Bangkok, said Thailand should think carefully about surrendering access to cheap medicine in exchange for a free trade deal.

"The stakes are indeed high, especially for the 600,000 Thais living with HIV/AIDS and whose survival will depend on the availability of affordable anti-retroviral drugs," Aldis wrote in the Bangkok Post newspaper.

________________________________________________________________________________

Thai Farmers Fear Free Trade Deal With US

BANGKOK, Jan 6 (Inter Press Service News Agency) - When United States negotiators fly into Thailand to thrash out a bilateral free trade deal, next week, they will be greeted with jeers rather than this country's famed smile of welcome.

Activists opposed to the free trade agreement (FTA) view the sixth round of talks in the northern city of Chiang Mai from Jan. 9-13 as a defining moment, and in a bid to raise the ante will bring 10,000 people on to the streets to protest against the talks.

''Thailand stands to lose much if the FTA with the U.S. is signed,'' Saree Ongsamwong, general secretary of the Foundation for Consumers, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), said in an interview. ''It will increase poverty among the small farmers in the provinces.''

Street protests are the only avenue open for opponents of the FTA, since the Thai government has shrouded its policies in secrecy, adds Saree, whose group belongs to a nationwide coalition of anti-FTA NGOs, called FTW Watch. ''There has been no public debate and the government has refused to listen to our concerns.''

Some of these worries are with reason, given that Thai farmers took a beating following similar bilateral trade deals that the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra signed with China, Australia and New Zealand.

Cheaper imports of garlic and onions from China have put 40 percent of Thai farmers out of business, Witoon Lianchumroon, coordinator of FTA Watch, told reporters on Thursday. ''About 50,000 farming households have been affected.''

Likewise, an estimated 100,000 Thai farmers who raised cattle for meat have been unable to compete against cheaper imports from New Zealand that followed the Thai-New Zealand FTA agreement.

Witoon estimates that nearly 6.5 million farmers will be affected if Bangkok signs a similar trade deal with Washington, resulting in U.S. agriculture products flooding the local markets.

Thai farmers make up a substantial slice of this South-east Asian country's labour force - some 60 percent of the country's 65 million people - yet they remain among the lowest wage earners. The average monthly income for the agriculture sector workers hovers between 2,500 baht (62.50 U.S. dollars) to 3,000 baht (75 dollars).

Bangkok, however, appears unfazed by such objections as it talks of the FTA with the United States being ready for implementation in a few months. ''Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and U.S. President George Bush earlier indicated that their intention to wrap up the deal by this spring,'' an English language daily, 'The Nation,' reported Thursday.

The value of two-way trade between the two countries was estimated at over 21 billion US dollars in 2003, with Thailand enjoying an edge.

Proposed changes would not only mean a possible loss in income for Thais farmers but also possible loss of lives among Thais living with HIV/AIDS who depend on cheap, locally-produced generic anti-AIDS drugs.

''The government's policy to provide cheap drugs for people with AIDS will be threatened with this FTA,'' says Kamol Uppakaew, chairman of the Thai Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS. ''Those who need the new line of drugs will not be able to get it because the price will be too high, 20,000 baht (500 dollars) per month.''

His concerns will be put to test during the talks in Chiang Mai, since discussions over intellectual property rights are expected to feature for the first time. Other issues to be taken up include opening up of the financial services sector and the lucrative telecommunication industry.

Currently, the Thai government's universal health care programme supplies generic anti-AIDS drugs to nearly 100,000 people who need medication. In all, there are some 670,000 people with HIV in this country, where over 300,000 people have died from AIDS-related causes since the pandemic was first detected in the 1980s.

According to the activists, the planned FTA with the U.S. would make it difficult for the state-run pharmaceutical agency to produce the new line of anti-AIDS drugs because of the position Washington is taking over intellectual property rights.

The U.S. wants to enforce a 25-year period to protect patents for drugs as against the 20-year patent protection that is the case under the existing global free trade rules.

''This agreement is like putting people on an express train heading towards a disaster,'' says Witoon. ''Even Thai academics are against it. Over 80 of them are calling the government to stop the FTA talks.'' (END/2006)

[Jai Dee]

Intellectual property rights protection in Thai-US FTA must not exceed US law :TDRI

BANGKOK, Jan 8 (TNA) – A leading academic said there is no reason why Thailand should offer terms of

intellectual property rights (IPR) protection beyond what’s available within the US legal framework.

Speaking at the public forum organised by the National Economic and Social Advisory Board on the impact of the ongoing Thai-US Free Trade Agreement negotiations, Dr Somkiat Tangkijvanit from Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) pointed out that the IPR protection spelt out in the FTAs the US have concluded with Singapore, Chile and Australia exceeds the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, as well as exceeding what’s written in the US law itself.

In the case of Thailand, the so-called TRIPS plus protection demanded by the US involves four aspects of the pharmaceutical industry. These include the allowance for medicine patent protection to last longer than 20 years in case of delay in patent examination and approval of new drugs. Conditions for compulsory licensing and parallel import of medicine will also be subject to terms stricter than what’s allowed for in TRIPS. The US also demands data exclusivity for drugs testing, which means a five-year delay for market entry of generic drugs which usually rely on such test data for approval.

Dr Somkiat noted that there appears to be no check and balance mechanism for those maximum terms of intellectual property rights protection.

Thailand’s option is to seek to eliminate those TRIPS plus and US Plus terms because there is no justification for Thailand to offer IPR protection beyond the parameter of the US law, in the hopes that the Thai-US FTA “would at least not be worse than the US-Chile FTA,” said Dr Somkiat. (TNA)-E007

[Jai Dee]

Government urged to build financial architecture before opening up FTA with US

BANGKOK, Jan 9 (TNA) – The government should build a financial architecture before establishing a free trade area (FTA) between Thailand and the United States, according to leading financiers.

Tawatchai Yongkittikul, Secretary-General of the Thai Bankers’ Association, said here on Monday that US-Thai FTA issues had not yet been discussed in the six round of negotiations in Thailand's northern resort province of Chiang Mai.

Still, it might already be raised for informaion discussions earlier.

He said the financial matter would be one of the most interesting issues because the US had gained an experience for negotiations with Chile and Singapore on the issue.

He conceded that Thailand did not have a lot of experiences for the negotiations on a long-term plan, while the financial sector had rapidly changed and regulators had lacked enough competence in supervision.

More importantly, there had not yet been a financial architecture that how the country’s financial sector would shape up in the future, he pointed out.

He cautioned that it could be difficult for Thailand to adopt the full financial liberalization because it is not in a position to compete with other countries in terms of a capital size.

Kongkiart Opaswongkarn, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations, said it must be accepted that Thailand is not in the same class as the US in terms of competition.

Because of this, he said, the government needs to ask for an extension of the enforcement of the FTA deal with the US so that local financial institutions would have enough time to strengthen themselves in terms of operations and personnel.

The six-round Thai-US FTA talks are scheduled for January 9 amid a planned rally at the venue of hundreds of protestors. (TNA) – E005, E002

______________________________________________________________________

PM promises details of US-Thailand FTA talks

BANGKOK, 2006-01-09 / 15:23:52 (GMT+7:00) (TNA) – Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra reiterated on Monday that the government is ready to reveal the result of negotiations to establish a free trade area (FTA) between Thailand and the United States -- in due course.

He insisted the government would not bring details of the talks on the US-Thailand FTA pact for discussion in the House of Representatives session because it is not required by the constitution.

He said the matter is the responsibility of the executive branch. However, he promised to reveal the details of the negotiation at an appropriate time.

Now, he added, experts from many parties are closely examining the agreement to ensure the country would not put at disadvantage from it.

"I will definitely reveal the results of the negotiation in due course," Mr. Thaksin said. "Now, we do not yet known what shape an FTA agreement with the US will take. So, we cannot reveal it for the moment. It is a technical matter.

"However, we assured the US the negotiation of the deal will end up as a win-win scenario," he said.

On mounting opposition to the US-Thailand FTA agreement by some groups, the premier said, ministers involved must clarify any misunderstanding of the people. Currently, he said, a committee had been assigned to review the agreement.

"No parties want to lose benefits. In reality, we cannot gain from everything we have done. But we can ease the impact if there are repercussions. Officials must be fully ready to clarify when any misunderstandings arise," he said.

Meanwhile, more than 10,000 protesters gathered on Monday morning in front of Chiang Mai Railway Station before parading into the city centre. Some protesters plastered their eyes and ears with tape to symbolise that the government has covered the public's eyes and ears concerning the impact of the negotiations.

The protesters planned a rally at the US consulate in Chiang Mai to demand that US representatives to cancel the negotiations.

According the protesters, the Thai-US free trade agreement will adversely affect Thai farmers whose agricultural products will suffer the low prices, and that the Kingdom will be at a significant disadvantage.

They said they believe that the pact will inevitably affect the daily lives of most Thais, but that only a few industries will cultivate huge benefits from the pact.

The agreement on drug patents, for instance, will badly affect the domestic pharmaceuticals industry's competitiveness and patients in Thailand especially -- those with HIV, cancer, diabetes and kidney illnesses -- will suffer costly medication, and some might be denied an access to medication after all, they claim. (TNA)

[marquess]

According to the Nation, Thaksin, says that there is no need for public debate. As the matter is in the hands of experts! How can they let him get away with this!?

[sriracha john]

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Monday shot down a proposal for Parliament to debate free trade agreements (FTAs), including a draft being negotiated between Thailand and the United States.

"The negotiations for the Thai-US agreement are being monitored by experts to ensure a successful outcome and I see no justification for legislative debate on FTAs as Parliament does not have qualified personnel to scrutinise the matter," Thaksin said.

Translation: "Besides me...Everyone is too stupid, so the Constitution doesn't apply."

What a slap in the face for members of Parliment...

[sierra01]

Never mind, no doubt it will be very good for the telecomunications sector, and that's the most important factor to some people.

[sabaijai]

Never mind, no doubt it will be very good for the telecomunications sector, and that's the most important factor to some people.

It would be stimulating for a lot of sectors in terms of service upgrading, while bad for Thais entrenched in those sectors by public mandate, collecting salaries without delivering much.

As for the farmers, can't see how they could be any worse off than they are. Opening their crops to US markets might be beneficial. Hope the tentative agreements say something about gov't grain subsidies in the USA however.

While living part time in Mexico, I watched the same sort of teeth-gnashing when NAFTA - a similar agreement between the USA and Mexico - was being pushed through. Nearly a decade later everyone's still debating whether NAFTA has helped or hurt the respective economies. The data can be jigged either way (that it hurt the USA or it hurt Mexico, or was beneficial to one and not the other, etc) but nothing obvious seems to have come out of it.

You can bet that in the USA right now there are plenty of people opposing the US-Thailand FTA.

[Jai Dee]

PROTESTORS CONTINUE THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE THAI-US FTA DEAL ON THREE MAIN ISSUES.

Thailand asked the United States to draft legislations allowing Thai citizens to work in the US, while the protestors continue their opposition to the deal on three main issues.

The latest round of free trade talks between Thailand and the US began yesterday at the Sheraton hotel and Imperial Mae Ping (แม่ปิง) in Chiang Mai. The Thai head negotiator is former Thai ambassador to the United States, Nit Piboonsongkram (นิตย์ พิบูลย์สงคราม) while head of the US delegates is Ms. Barbara Weiser. The meeting discussed 23 issues. The important agendas include talks on drug patents, liberalization in financial sector, labor and environment. Mr. Nit met with senior officials from the US Senate, asking for support from the Congress on free movement of people by issuing legislation allowing special quota for Thai workers. The Thai side said that the free movement of labor should go hand in hand with the liberalization of trade and services.

Meanwhile, more than 3000 people from 11 organizations protesting the deal submitted a letter to head of the US delegates through the US consulate in Chiang Mai. The letter protests the negotiations on 3 main issues, which are drug patents, liberalization of agricultural sector, and liberalization of financial sector. Many academics also came to demonstrate their stance against the meeting.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

DPM SOMKID SAYS THAI-US FTA HAS TO BE APPROVED FROM HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister SOMKID JATUSRIPITAK (สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์) affirmed that the upcoming sixth THAI-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) conference will not be cancelled. He said the Thai government will not take any action if the pact is not beneficial for Thailand and if the House of Representatives do not agree with its conditions and regulations.

Referring to the protest against the pact, he has reiterated to the FTA authorities to acknowledge more demands from the general public. However, he said that the pact could not be revoked because the US has purchased about 15 percent of Thailand's total export. Some of the products include agricultural goods, silk and clothing products, as well as automobile parts.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DEMANDS PM TO REVISE THAI-US FTA

The Political Development Committee of the House of Representatives has demanded Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to revise the Thai-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and suggested that he should wait for the parliament’s approval before implementing any process.

Following the Political Development Committee’s meeting, the Head of the Committee, Mr. NAKHON MACHIM (นคร มาฉิม), disclosed that representatives of the US senior authorities and American businesspeople were invited in the discussion. They informed that the US government has to clarify the FTA negotiation to its people and it has to seek approval from the US Senate before it can hold the 6th Thai-US FTA discussion.

Hence, the Committee has requested the premier to revise the matter and conduct a public hearing before making any decision. The Committee will propose the report to the government for reconsideration.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

Kraisak to bring FTA lawsuit

Chiang Mai (TNA) - The head of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs confirmed this afternoon the committee will sue the government in the Constitutional Court for failing to bring details of the talks on the Thailand-United States Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement for discussion in the House of Representatives.

Committee chairman Kraisak Choonhavan said chief US negotiators had agreed to meet Thai senators and members of parliament tomorrow morning at 10, and to brief them on details of the negotiations. Sen Kraisak said he would inform the US representatives it would contradict the Thai constitution if the Thai government failed to bring all details of the FTA negotiations for debate in the Lower House.

The sixth round of talks on the Thai-US FTA began Monday at two hotels in Chiang Mai and are to end on Friday. The Tuesday talks focussed on seven issues including environment, labour, intellectual property, trade and investment.

As the talks proceeded, a large group of demonstrators opposing the proposed FTA pact demonstrated outside. Some vowed to disrupt the talks, and broke through police lines briefly, before being pushed back in minor but tense scuffling.

The protesters demanded the Thai government scrap the negotiations on three major issues - including intellectual property, especially drug patents, free trade and investment in agriculture, and basic infrastructure. Protesters claimed claimed any agreement on these issues would cause severe negative consequences to the majority of the Thai people.

(Source: Bangkok Post Breaking News - With agency reports)

[sierra01]

Never mind, no doubt it will be very good for the telecomunications sector, and that's the most important factor to some people.

It would be stimulating for a lot of sectors in terms of service upgrading, while bad for Thais entrenched in those sectors by public mandate, collecting salaries without delivering much.

As for the farmers, can't see how they could be any worse off than they are. Opening their crops to US markets might be beneficial. Hope the tentative agreements say something about gov't grain subsidies in the USA however.

While living part time in Mexico, I watched the same sort of teeth-gnashing when NAFTA - a similar agreement between the USA and Mexico - was being pushed through. Nearly a decade later everyone's still debating whether NAFTA has helped or hurt the respective economies. The data can be jigged either way (that it hurt the USA or it hurt Mexico, or was beneficial to one and not the other, etc) but nothing obvious seems to have come out of it.

You can bet that in the USA right now there are plenty of people opposing the US-Thailand FTA.

I was having a dig at Mr T, him that has no financial interest in the Shin corp, because that would be illegal.

[Jai Dee]

PM: THE GOVERNMENT WILL LISTEN TO PROTESTORS AGAINST THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FTA WITH THE US

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra pledged that his government will listen to protestors against the establishment of the free trade area with the United States, and affirmed that the deal will not have to be made if Thailand would be put at a disadvantage.

Yesterday, protestors gathered and headed to the Sheraton Hotel in Chiang Mai Province where FTA talks between the Thai and US sides were taking place. Waving colourful flags and wearing clothes emblazoned with anti-free trade agreement messages, the protestors prayed that the trade talks would collapse.

Prime Minister Thaksin said that his government will listen to what the protestors say and will consider whether their contested points are reasonable or not. The premier reassured the public that the government will ultimately disclose all the details of its discussions with US trade negotiations. However, he said the process is currently in the negotiation phase and cannot yet be disclosed at present, in accordance with trade negotiation techniques.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak (สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์) said the protest that occurred was considered expression of opinions, and he has told the working committee to listen more to the public. However, the project will go on as the US is an important export market that makes up to 15% of Thailand’s total exports.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 January 2006

[george]

Violence forces FTA venue switch

CHIANG MAI: -- Demonstrators scuffled with police at a downtown hotel, forcing a brief halt in bargaining on the proposed Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement between Thailand and the United States, and negotiators from the two countries decided to change the venue of their meeting.

As the Thai-US FTA negotiations proceeded for the third day, hundreds of protesters from various civil society groups opposing the pact remained in front of the Sheraton Hotel where the meeting has been held since Monday. The protesters tried to force their way into the hotel in a bid to pressure the negotiators to abandon their talks.

Both countries representatives agreed to change the venue for their meeting from the Sheraton Hotel to a private golf course about 20km distant from the hotel.

To avoid bring noticed by protesters, some negotiators exited the hotel by masquerading as tourists. The protesters tried in vain to block vans and automobiles taking negotiators from the hotel.

Deputy Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who observed the negotiations said that it was necessary to change the meeting venue to ensure the negotiators' safety and maintain their concentration.

The deputy public health minister said that several key points concerning drug patents would be tabled for discussion today (Jan 11). He reiterated that the Thai government would definitely protect the rights and interests of the country on this issue and would later hold the ress conference in Bangkok to reveal the result of the negotiations after the talks ended on Jan 13.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana said that he had been informed by the governor of Chiang Mai of the latest demonstration developments at the Sheraton Hotel. He said the protesters could stage the protest but they should not do anything above the rules of law. The clashes that occurred on Tuesday when protesters tried to force their way into the hotel contradicted the principle and caused trouble to others, he said.

ACM Kongsak said he had ordered security measures to be strictly observed to maintain control of the situation, which he believed would not get out of hand.

--Bangkok Post/TNA 2006-01-11

[Jai Dee]

ANTI-FTA DEMONSTRATORS YESTERDAY FORCED NEGOTIATION TO MOVE TO NEW VENUE

Demonstrators protesting against the making of the Thai-US free trade area in Chiang Mai dispersed yesterday after the government promised there will not be signing of agreements that will put Thailand at a disadvantage.

Since yesterday morning demonstrators gathered in front of the Sheration Hotel in Chiang Mai have been using loundspeakers to make verbal attacks to the FTA negotiation process. They also threatened to storm the negotiating room if their demands were not met. Due to safety concern, Deputy Public Health Minister Anuthin Charnweerakul (อณุทิน ชาญวีรกุล) led the delegations to another hotel in Lamphoon to continue discussions.

The demonstrators said the result of the demonstration was a success, and the demonstrators would keep in mind the government's promise that no deal would be made on items that would put Thailand at a disadvantage. They also burnt a coffin tagged with the name of the Thai negotiating team's chief in conclusion of the demonstrations.

Today negotiations will take place back at the Sheraton hotel in Chiang Mai, with drugs patents as a topic of discussion, which is a sensitive topic that has drawn much public attention.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

SENATORS WILL COLLABORATE WITH OPPOSITION IN ASKING CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO CLARIFY DETAILS OF FTA

A few senators have collaborated with the Opposition in asking the FTA negotiating team from the US to inform them on the details of the deal, while declaring that they will ask the Constitutional Court to elaborate laws related to the making of such FTAs.

U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Ralph Boyce and the head of the US side of FTA negotiators were asked to express the details of the Thai-US FTA discussed this week in Chiang Mai. Kraisak Chunhawan (ไกรศักดิ์ ชุนหะวัณ), the head of the senate's working committee on foreign affairs, disagreed with the opening of the free trade area with the US and said such establishment would be detrimental to the country's economic structure. He will, by this Friday, submit a letter asking the Constitutional Court to clarify such establishment in regards to the Constitution.

In the meantime the Opposition, which does not oppose the making of the free trade area, would join in with Mr. Kraisak to ask for the Constitutional Court to clarify the subject.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

CHIANG MAI INDUSTRY COUNCIL IS IN SUPPORT OF THE THAI-US FTA

The Chiang Mai Industry Council is in support of the Thai-US FTA negotiation, and proposed that the government fix the prices of fertilizers and chemicals used in farming so the Thai agriculturists would not have to bear increased costs in the future.

Mr. WEERAYUTH SUKHAWATTHAGO (วีระยุทธ สุขวัฑฒโก), the Vice President of the Chiang Mai Industry Council, said the ongoing negotiation on the Thai-US free trade area would have both positive and negative effects, in which the government would have to evaluate. He added that the free trade negotiation with the United States is necessary, as Thailand may face trade and investment problems in the future due to free trade deals between the US and other countries.

Mr. WEERAYUTH said that of the 23 subjects of discussions in the FTA negotiation, drugs patents and agricultural goods were problems that the government needed to clarify with the US and perhaps ask it to affirm that no adjustment in the prices of drugs and fertilizers would incur.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM REFUSES TO TALK ABOUT WHETHER TELECOMMUNICATION MATTERS WERE DISCUSSED DURING THAI-US FTA NEGOTIATION

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has asserted that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the THAI-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) must consider the benefits of both countries. Meanwhile, the premier has declined to reveal whether telecommunication issues were discussed during the THAI-US FTA negotiation or not, as he has not been informed about these issues yet.

The premier earlier had a talk with US President George W. Bush, and they have agreed that both nations have to receive equal advantages from the pact. Further, they could not exploit each other benefits. Dr. Thaksin also said that the implementation of negotiation has to be under the regulations of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Dr. SOMKID JATUSRIPITAK (สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์), has been directly assigned by the premier to take care of the matter.

Referring to some groups' request to participate in the negotiation, the Prime Minister said he could not allow them to join the meeting because its discussion plan would then be out of shape.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 January 2006

[sriracha john]

You can bet that in the USA right now there are plenty of people opposing the US-Thailand FTA.

On the news this evening were shots of exactly that. American protestors in Washington, DC at the USOT headquarters.

They were protesting for the Thai side or point of contention....

at the end of the protest, they zipped themselves up in body bags and laid on the sidewalk with signs saying "Dead HIV positive Thai Child"...

[awarrumbungle]

Do the americans know the details of the negotiations or are they pulling the sercrecy stunt as well. Are all FTA shrouded in secrecy like this?

[Jai Dee]

4TH DAY OF FTA TALKS EMPHASIZED INSURANCE AND FINANCE, AND LIBERALIZATION OF SECURITIES MARKET

Yesterday's discussions in the 6th round of the Thai-US free trade agreement negotiation concerned insurance and finance, and the liberalization of the securities market, where Thailand expressed its concern with its own financial stability.

2 important issues, including predential measures and liberalization of the securities market, were discussed yesterday, the 4th day of this 6th round of Thai-US FTA talks. The two sides negotiated on measures to limit the short-term movement of capital for speculative pupose, especially that which would regulate the opening of baht-based accounts by non-residents. The US side asked Thailand to allow US firms to conduct investment counciling business and establish mutual funds, which the Thai side has not yet agreed to.

Yesterday Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak (สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์) affirmed that agricultural products will not receive negative impacts from the Thai-US free trade area. He said the negotiators will increase their emphasis on fostering advantages in agricultural produce exportation and also focus on exchanging intellectual properties. He admitted that previously some procedure such as onions and garlic have been affected by other FTAs.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kantathee Suphamongkhol (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) said the timeframe set for the leaders of Thailand and the U.S. to sign the FTA deal in the middle of this year is considered appropriate. He also believe the protests that occured would not cause delay to the schedule.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 13 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

THAILAND WILL NOT LOSE OUT ON DRUG PATENT ISSUE.

Representative of the Thai delegation negotiating the FTA deal with the United States has insisted that the country will not lose out on drug patent issue in the free trade talks.

Secretary-general of the Food and Drug Administration Pakdi Potisiri (ภักดี โพธิศิริ) commented on the drug patent issue in the Thai-US FTA negotiations that the working group on drug patents will maintain its stance to negotiate based on the World Trade Organization’s TRIPS regulations. He said that Thailand will not grant the United States protection of exclusive rights in drug-testing information and chemistry products, even if it is the US’s demands, adding that Thailand will provide protection for information only. He insisted that the negotiating team will not accept offers that will hurt the country.

Mr. Pakdi said that the next rounds of negotiations will take place in February. He said that in the meantime, the working groups will discuss potential impacts from the free trade deal and submit reports to deputy Public Health Ministry Pinij Jarusombat (พินิจ จารุสมบัติ) and Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak (สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 13 January 2006

[sriracha john]

US mulls abandoning trade talks with Thailand

1/14/2006 Reuters

BANGKOK/WASHINGTON: The US could abandon free trade talks with Thailand unless Bangkok agrees to redouble efforts to reach an agreement in the next few months, a US trade negotiator said yesterday.

“We have to evaluate whether or not we think the will is there on both sides,” Assistant US Trade Representative Barbara Weisel told US reporters by phone after a sixth round of talks in Thailand this week. “As you know, we’re considering launching additional FTAs (free trade agreements) ... There’s only so many of those that we want ongoing at the same time.”

US and Thai negotiators made some progress in talks, but are still far from reaching an agreement after 18 months of on-and-off negotiations, Weisel said.