AFTER COUP
Curtailing ties to have repercussions on the EU too, FTI warns
Erich Parpart,
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai industries yesterday warned the European Union that its decision to curtail diplomatic ties with Thailand after the military coup could result in mutual repercussions.

Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said the benefits from free-trade agreements normally were bilateral, and if the EU continued with this measure, it too would lose out on benefits.

"Parties in an agreement receive the same benefits, and the slowdown in the FTA process will only make both sides lose," he said.

However, he said that though the EU has refused to sign a partnership deal, which includes an FTA, the private sectors on both sides could continue trading.

"Without the FTA deal, it is up to the private sector to create the confidence necessary for transactions between trading partners," he said.

On Monday, the EU decided to suspend mutual official visits after the military's power seizure in May, and said the exemptions would continue until Thailand has a democratically elected government in place.

Supant said the FTI and the Board of Trade would not provide any advice and would allow the junta to handle the situation on its own.

Meanwhile, Somkid Jatusripitak, economic adviser for the military's ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said Thailand had to show its commitment by making other countries understand that the junta was working on tackling problems in Thai society. He added that eventually foreign confidence would return.

"This is a good time to take care of the problems in society, and if we can show them that we are sincere about fixing the problems, then confidence will return. The EU's reactions are normal on the international level and we should use this as a lesson for private and public sectors to work together to restore confidence," he said.

Krirk-Krai Jirapaet, chairman of the Thai Institute of Directors Association, said the EU had not really cancelled any trade relations with Thailand, adding that it was simply a move against the power seizure and that they would reconsider their stance once there is an election.

"The EU is not cutting ties with Thailand. It is just showing that it is unhappy about this political development. I am not surprised or concerned, because the trade relations still exist," he said.

Krirk-Krai said that since the EU did not boycott bilateral trade or change any tax regulations concerning goods to and from Thailand - something it cannot do anyway because of the Word Trade Organisation's rules - its recent action should not have an effect on Thailand's exports.

However, he is worried about the FTA talks being suspended, adding Thailand might stand to lose competitiveness, as the EU was negotiating FTA deals with other countries in the region.

Ajva Taulananda, vice chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group, said the EU's decisions would have no effect on the export sector for as long as the public and private sectors provide explanations to their trade partners about what is happening. However, Thai exporters are worried about European consumer sentiment.

Poj Aramwattananont, president to the Thai Frozen Foods Association, said exports should not suffer, as the EU's decisions were only related to Thailand's political situation. To boost buyers' confidence, food associations in Thailand plan to lead a mission to the EU and meet their trading partners. Chanintr Chalisarapong, Thai Tuna Industry Association president, said tuna shipments to the EU had not changed for several years. To ensure export growth, Thai firms are trying to promote trade in various markets, relying less on a single large market like the EU or the US.


-- The Nation 2014-06-25

Curtailing ties to have repercussions on the EU too, FTI warns

As the flea said as it bit the Elephant .

''Did you not feel the pain and the terror when I attacked you?

The Thais are "warning" the EU.

What a wet dream. Thailand is but a minnow in an ocean of sharks.

Maybe Thailand should ban the EU trash from this wonderful country

harryfrom Pattaya post # 6

Maybe Thailand should ban the EU trash from this wonderful country

That indeed would decimate the drinking population in Pattaya would it not.

Can one imagine the outcry from the ''Hostesses and Hosts'' engaged in the ''entertainment and leisure trade'' if such a ban were enforced.

Bar girls demonstrating as ''bare girls.'' Now that would be a beneficial spin off methinks.

I believe it will be very difficult in the near future for many western countries to have dealings with a military run Thailand.

Public sentiment, in the west especially, does not generally support military run countries..

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Maybe Thailand should ban the EU trash from this wonderful country

Where are you from Harry

"Thai industries yesterday warned the European Union that its decision to curtail diplomatic ties with Thailand after the military coup could result in mutual repercussions...Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said the benefits from free-trade agreements normally were bilateral, and if the EU continued with this measure, it too would lose out on benefits."

Oh Dear!!! Does that mean the there won't be any shrimp or fish available from Thai industries which use slave labor? What a shame.

ChrisY1 post # 8

I believe it will be very difficult in the near future for many western countries to have dealings with a military run Thailand.

Public sentiment, in the west especially, does not generally support military run countries..

Most of the world seems besotted with the U.S.A.

The Thais are "warning" the EU.

EU been warned.

Is the EU crazy, imagine having the cheek to take Thailand on ?

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Maybe Thailand should ban the EU trash from this wonderful country

Where are you from Harry

Made in USA Mississippi

Well I guess this will mean the end of the EU then.

I am not a fan of so called "Free Trade Agreements", as the poor always seem to suffer from them, while large corporations reap the benefits.

Maybe Thailand should ban the EU trash from this wonderful country

Its always fun to see stupid posters make stupid remarks. This is all on basis of an US report

I assume they will sell their, overpriced rotten, rice elsewhere then and will not claim the import duty reductions on many other produce.

The EU is controlled by the US so appears along with the US Human Trafficking that the West is unhappy with Thailand...because of democracy? because of slavery? because they can't pay anyone to do their bidding in Thailand?

Democracy & slavery is a non issue with the US & it's basically Puppet States in Europe..What's needed is leaders that will accept payments so the big Corporations have free rein to rape the country more than they already have.

Thailand is right to stand up to the Bullies...best course of action they can take is to publically declare they will not use the US petro dollar for anything..as Russia & China & many other countries are beginning to do.

The American dollar is on the point of total collapse...probably in the next 5 years if not sooner.

The US has no friends outside the US except the ones they have paid...once the collapse starts the bully will be on their own.

The danger to Thailand in the short time is the US is probably already trying to figure out which Generals they can buy to have a coup from the coup...

The EU is a basket case anyways & with now Gas supplies in jeopardy because of the US pushing them to support their Nazi government in Ukraine...the EU will have no choice but to say No to the US...wait until fall when it starts getting cold.

The US couldn't care less about the people in Ukraine, Europe or in fact Thailand.

There's some posts saying the US and it's consumers won't buy Thai shrimp because they think it's from slave labor..They buy coffee,chocolate,veggies from California & Mexico...The average American is having difficulty buying goods from Walmart that is mostly Chinese as Walmart's sales are declining.Consumers buy at the cheapest price no matter where it's from.

Besides after the US dollar collapse the US won't be able to afford to buy Thai slaved shrimp.

Maybe the EU should send someone over and see some of the positives that have emerged since the Military Coup. It's all well and good forcing democracy down people's throats, but some Countries are simply not ready for democracy. Without wishing to appear to be taking an Ivory Tower position, I think some Countries need to wind their neck in a bit and accept that first of all, to have a Country accept a totally democratic direction, the people of that Country must be equally educated in similar principals. This needs to be a bottom - up approach, not a top - down approach! Some 2nd and 3rd World Countries are simply more suited to a Military Rule because it's all they understand and forced change, rather than phased change will leave the Country and it's people worse off.

I actually enjoyed the nighttime curfew....and maybe with some modification it might be workable over a longer period of time, particularly if the bars and sex joints had to be closed by say 1 am.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Maybe Thailand should ban the EU trash from this wonderful country

Where are you from Harry

Made in USA Mississippi

So, used to be ruled by an EU country! lol

The EU is controlled by the US so appears along with the US Human Trafficking that the West is unhappy with Thailand...because of democracy? because of slavery? because they can't pay anyone to do their bidding in Thailand?

You will find that the recent EU sanctions are not related to their human trafficking record, but are because there is no legitimate government currently.

More of that world famous Thainess on display. Like a nation of children.

The EU is controlled by the US so appears along with the US Human Trafficking that the West is unhappy with Thailand...because of democracy? because of slavery? because they can't pay anyone to do their bidding in Thailand?

You will find that the recent EU sanctions are not related to their human trafficking record, but are because there is no legitimate government currently.

No legitimate government?...Of course they have sanctioned Egypt?..Ukraine? Iraq? Obviously you believe the lies...

The military coup in Thailand was the best thing that happened and as they are firmly in control..they are as legitimate as any government..The EU is trying to pressure Thailand via the US behind the scenes & of course not going to publically declare that the US behind this or that they want a Thai government in power that they can buy & manipulate.

Maybe Thailand should ban the EU trash from this wonderful country

Its always fun to see stupid posters make stupid remarks. This is all on basis of an US report

please enlighten us....the op article said nothing about any US report, it's about the EU not supporting a non-democratic government.

The EU is controlled by the US so appears along with the US Human Trafficking that the West is unhappy with Thailand...because of democracy? because of slavery? because they can't pay anyone to do their bidding in Thailand?

You will find that the recent EU sanctions are not related to their human trafficking record, but are because there is no legitimate government currently.

No legitimate government?...Of course they have sanctioned Egypt?..Ukraine? Iraq? Obviously you believe the lies...

The military coup in Thailand was the best thing that happened and as they are firmly in control..they are as legitimate as any government..

Lets finish the discussion, come back when you actually know what you're talking about.

Thai industry warns the EU. Yes shure, Lol...

The EU is controlled by the US so appears along with the US Human Trafficking that the West is unhappy with Thailand...because of democracy? because of slavery? because they can't pay anyone to do their bidding in Thailand?

You will find that the recent EU sanctions are not related to their human trafficking record, but are because there is no legitimate government currently.

No legitimate government?...Of course they have sanctioned Egypt?..Ukraine? Iraq? Obviously you believe the lies...

The military coup in Thailand was the best thing that happened and as they are firmly in control..they are as legitimate as any government..

Lets finish the discussion, come back when you actually know what you're talking about.

I live in Thailand..I lived here during the demonstrations..Maybe to EU the government in Thailand is not legitimate..I can tell you who is firmly in control...& I believe the majority of Thai believe it's a better government than the alternative.

If you live in Thailand ....we can continue this discussion.

The EU is controlled by the US so appears along with the US Human Trafficking that the West is unhappy with Thailand...because of democracy? because of slavery? because they can't pay anyone to do their bidding in Thailand?

Democracy & slavery is a non issue with the US & it's basically Puppet States in Europe..What's needed is leaders that will accept payments so the big Corporations have free rein to rape the country more than they already have.

Thailand is right to stand up to the Bullies...best course of action they can take is to publically declare they will not use the US petro dollar for anything..as Russia & China & many other countries are beginning to do.

The American dollar is on the point of total collapse...probably in the next 5 years if not sooner.

The US has no friends outside the US except the ones they have paid...once the collapse starts the bully will be on their own.

The danger to Thailand in the short time is the US is probably already trying to figure out which Generals they can buy to have a coup from the coup...

The EU is a basket case anyways & with now Gas supplies in jeopardy because of the US pushing them to support their Nazi government in Ukraine...the EU will have no choice but to say No to the US...wait until fall when it starts getting cold.

The US couldn't care less about the people in Ukraine, Europe or in fact Thailand.

There's some posts saying the US and it's consumers won't buy Thai shrimp because they think it's from slave labor..They buy coffee,chocolate,veggies from California & Mexico...The average American is having difficulty buying goods from Walmart that is mostly Chinese as Walmart's sales are declining.Consumers buy at the cheapest price no matter where it's from.

Besides after the US dollar collapse the US won't be able to afford to buy Thai slaved shri

What a load of total crap!

Maybe Thailand should ban the EU trash from this wonderful country

Its always fun to see stupid posters make stupid remarks. This is all on basis of an US report

That would be, "a US report".

The EU is controlled by the US so appears along with the US Human Trafficking that the West is unhappy with Thailand...because of democracy? because of slavery? because they can't pay anyone to do their bidding in Thailand?

Democracy & slavery is a non issue with the US & it's basically Puppet States in Europe..What's needed is leaders that will accept payments so the big Corporations have free rein to rape the country more than they already have.

Thailand is right to stand up to the Bullies...best course of action they can take is to publically declare they will not use the US petro dollar for anything..as Russia & China & many other countries are beginning to do.

The American dollar is on the point of total collapse...probably in the next 5 years if not sooner.

The US has no friends outside the US except the ones they have paid...once the collapse starts the bully will be on their own.

The danger to Thailand in the short time is the US is probably already trying to figure out which Generals they can buy to have a coup from the coup...

The EU is a basket case anyways & with now Gas supplies in jeopardy because of the US pushing them to support their Nazi government in Ukraine...the EU will have no choice but to say No to the US...wait until fall when it starts getting cold.

The US couldn't care less about the people in Ukraine, Europe or in fact Thailand.

There's some posts saying the US and it's consumers won't buy Thai shrimp because they think it's from slave labor..They buy coffee,chocolate,veggies from California & Mexico...The average American is having difficulty buying goods from Walmart that is mostly Chinese as Walmart's sales are declining.Consumers buy at the cheapest price no matter where it's from.

Besides after the US dollar collapse the US won't be able to afford to buy Thai slaved shrimp.

I agree with the gist of your comment (although I find it hard to not be a grammar nazi with your sentence structure and grammar, but I digress) and feel you nailed the hypocrisy of the West and its so-called leaders. The sheeple in western countries go on grazing while their politicians (figureheads) sell them out to whatever corporation pays the most. The western media is tightly controlled by a few multinational conglomerates, thus the message they serve up to the masses is massaged in order to sway public opinion.

To the EU politicians and their American counterparts I'd say those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

I just ask myself one simple question regarding the military's takeover and that is: is life in Thailand better or worse since their coup? My answer is a resounding YES!