Commercial diplomats to swiftly clarify Thai fishery situation to the world

BANGKOK, 22 April 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Commerce has assigned commercial attaches worldwide to make urgent clarifications regarding Thailand’s ongoing efforts to solve problems in its fishing sector.

Deputy Commerce Minister Apiradee Tantraporn disclosed that an order has been issued for the Department of International Trade Promotion to have commercial envoys stationed in Thailand’s trade partner countries promptly create an understanding with local trade authorities concerning issues surrounding Thai fishery.

The deputy minister said the envoys are to emphasize Thailand’s commitment and relentless efforts to tackle various problems in the fishing industry. She also hopes importers of Thai products will be convinced that the issue has received the greatest attention from the Thai government and their perception of Thai goods will not be tarnished.

Such clarifications are deemed necessary after the European Union recently issued a yellow card to Thailand for its non-compliance with the Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Regulation. The yellow card is considered the EU’s warning for Thailand to improve its fishing standard and fix all pressing problems by formulating a concrete action plan against IUU fishing.

Ms Apiradee voiced belief that all problems will be addressed in a matter of six months. In the meantime, she said the Commerce Ministry has prepared alternative markets, such as Eastern Europe and the CLMV group, to accommodate Thai fishery products in place of the EU market.


-- NNT 2015-04-22

Usual bullshit... ''All the problems will be addressed in the next six months''. If it's all so easily fixable then why hasn't it been fixed in the last six years ? Thainess is only brought to heel when it is facing a loss of money. Even then you see what happens...'' The Commerce Ministry has prepared alternative markets such as Eastern Europe etc etc ''. They wriggle and squirm like scolded cats rather than FIX THE PROBLEMS. I hope they go on to get the red card...they deserve it.

Slavery on a massive scale. How will they find 300,000+ Thais to work for peanuts in the place of migrant slaves?

she said the Commerce Ministry has prepared alternative markets, such as Eastern Europe and the CLMV group, to accommodate Thai fishery products in place of the EU market.

Got to love Thai thinking. The CLMV group, really? Thailand enslaves their people, illegally fishes in their waters (except Laos).not to mention some of the poorest people in the world. I wouldnt think this group would be the ideal alternative customers.

The only answer, is ban them. Then we will see.

"commitment and relentless efforts to tackle various problems in the fishing industry."

It's all words and little action

Airlines under scrutiny and now the fisheries a step away from being banned.

A mess indeed. Ban them, and then watch them flail around to solve the problem. Until then, nothing concrete will happen. Nothing.

The Thais will find that apart from Moldavia, Ukraine, Belarus, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Russia all of Eastern Europe is a part of the EU. And those countries are not exactly flush enough with cash to buy Thai hish Plus a number of these are on the nomination to become part of the EU and will follow EU sanctions if it comes to that.

Not exactly the brightest plan the Thais came up with.

Sad!

The chickens are on their way home to roost.

Swiftly clarify what exactly?

Excuses and BS arnt going to work this time.

The last paragraph where she mentions that other markets will be eveloped if the EU sets a ban.......in other words as I see it, they don't really care as Russia and other "friendly" regions will take our products.

They can't fix the problems...period!!

Clarify the issue or simply churn out the government's line which, if past situations are anything to go by, will be followed by a statement from LoS that everyone understood, accepted and agreed with what is being done.

what ploblem? no pbloplem

as an old tv star (in the black and white days) used to say " I SEE NOTHING "

that about sum's it up

"Everything is fine, there is no illegal things going on, no slavery, no human trafficing...pay no attention to the man behind the curtain...everything is in perfect order..."

Commercial diplomat = lobbyist

People actually still eat Thai fish?

Ms Apiradee voiced belief that all problems will be addressed in a matter of six months. In the meantime, she said the Commerce Ministry has prepared alternative markets, such as Eastern Europe and the CLMV group, to accommodate Thai fishery products in place of the EU market.

Well she can't be that confident if she's already looking for alternative markets. Does she believe that some Eastern European countries are not concerned about Thailand's failures?

The deputy minister said the envoys are to emphasize Thailand’s commitment and relentless efforts to tackle various problems in the fishing industry. She also hopes importers of Thai products will be convinced that the issue has received the greatest attention from the Thai government and their perception of Thai goods will not be tarnished.

Tarnished? It's already too late the horse has bolted and now you want to close the barn door?

As I pointed out in an earlier post an EU ban could potentially wipe out their fishing industry, or rather its ability to export. Even if the EU lifted the ban the retailers would have already switched supplies and unless Thailand were to offer its product at a much lower rate then their exports may never recover.

This is the price Thailand will pay for allowing the fishing industry to be run the way it has over the last few decades. It's not like they couldn't see this coming but as usual the Thais think they are above and beyond reproach and are superior in every way ... this lesson is going to be a very painful one; they'll lose face and more importantly what they covet most ... MONEY>

About as plausible as trying to clarify Christmas to the residents of a turkey farm.

"In the meantime, she said the Commerce Ministry has prepared alternative markets, such as Eastern Europe and the CLMV group, to accommodate Thai fishery products in place of the EU market."

Oh, dream on!

The CLMV group is Cambodia, Laos, Mayanmar, and Vietnam. Eight countries in Eastern Europe could join the European Union by 2018. I doubt that the CLMV group in combination with Eastern Europe countries that do not want to become part of the EU will replace the revenues lost by a ban from the EU.

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