Benefits and disadvantages of TPP membership



BANGKOK, 5 February 2016 (NNT) -The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand yesterday held a Seminar on understanding the TPP from an academic aspect.

The seminar was addressed by a number of speakers: Dr. Sarut Wittayarungruangsri, Senior Manager of Bolliver & Company , Dr. Wanaporn Techagaisiyavanit a professor from Mahidol University, Dr. Duenden Nikomborirak and Dr. Jakkrit Kuanpoth, both Research Directors from the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).

Dr. Duenden showed us that Thailand faces an economic downturn because of the country's structural economy problems. It's the first time that the private sector has urged the government to participate in the Free Trade area, as they believe that joining TPPs will address the problem.

However joining the TPP isn't possible just now, as it takes three years for TPP member countries to ratify new conditions for new members. So Thailand still has time to consider whether it stands ready to join the TPP. She also revealed that some issues such as transparency and competitive markets that TPP encourages its members to implement, are a good form of reformation for Thailand.

All speakers agreed that it can't be concluded whether Thailand should join TPP in the short term and the TPP is not a zero sum game. As Thailand can't join the TPP immediately, we still have about three years to apply for TPP membership. Dr. Wannaporn explained the benefits and disadvantages of a TPP Investment Chapter and compared it with the coherence of Thailand's Investment Protection Regime, while distinguishing the measures that the government may need to take in the way of amending policies and law.


-- NNT 2016-02-05

What are those amendments and laws that would have to change? Did these Thais actually articulate them or just puff and bluster around them as is usual in Thai forums?

Thailand has made no real effort to understand TPP. As usual Thais will study, discuss, delay, watch, form committees etc., to avoid making a timely decision. They prefer the decision to kinda come naturally without any one really having to make a decision (and possibly take blame for a wrong decision). Thailand will arrive late as usual.

Thailand has made no real effort to understand TPP. As usual Thais will study, discuss, delay, watch, form committees etc., to avoid making a timely decision. They prefer the decision to kinda come naturally without any one really having to make a decision (and possibly take blame for a wrong decision). Thailand will arrive late as usual.

Well said Pib.

A fairly useless and nonproductive Seminar.

Since Thailand cannot become a member for 3 years if it applies, the Ministry argues that there is no further point to discussing the benefits and disadvantages of membership. Discussion is essentially tabled.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs could have accomplished as much by just simply sending an e-mail to all registrants with all ready prepared Power Point Presentation and cancel the seminar.

However, I suspect the ministry is following a broader agenda that involves Prayut's economic dedication with China, no matter the benefits perceived by the Thai private sector in TPP membership.

With three years to make up their minds, Thais have no need to jump into the muddy waters of this secretly drafted and negotiated deal.

One of the few things we know for certain about TPP is that it places the interests of (mainly US-based) corporate giants over those of participant nations.

Member countries which attempt to regulate the activities of foreign multinationals which break into their domestic markets risk being sued for billions of dollars in notional lost profits through a specially set up an international "kangaroo" court of vested interests rather than independent judges..

Thailand would do well to wait and monitor the experiences on neighbouring nations which have joined the TPP before deciding whether or not to join the club.

Edited February 5, 201610 yr by Krataiboy

Too funny. I believe that Canada just signed the TPP, although it is to be discussed by the Canadian parliament. Canada made sure not to be left behind while Thailand was oblivious. New Zealand was out in front of the pack long ago protecting its sheep and dairy sectors. Thailand is about to get a rude awakening as the TPP will blow apart Thailand's agricultural markets. Vietnam is going to receive preferred status and will be able to piggy back onto some existing Canada/USA and EU trade agreements. Malaysia is counting on this boosting its manufacturing and agricultural export sectors as well. Japan is a signatory and that means that Malaysia and Vietnam are going to be muscling in on the Japanese market.

Oh well, Thailand can still count on its best friend China to help out.

I guess we'll be dragged into TTP if the elite can make more money doing so. The huge penalties paid to US corporations will be paid by the taxpayer. The huge increase in the price of medicines will be borne by the sick.

Thailnd is the wrong nation to be giving up its sovereignty. They dislike foreign ideas and when they have to pay through the nose for patent expired AIDS drugs and biologicals they will start screaming.

I hope Thailand does not adopt this flawed TPP. It gives power to multi nationals to take governments to court which will be held in secret and make governments powerless to stop them. Do you your research. There is enough info out there. The UK who signed up will face a privatisation of the NHS which the UK government will be powerless to stop.

A fairly useless and nonproductive Seminar.

Since Thailand cannot become a member for 3 years if it applies, the Ministry argues that there is no further point to discussing the benefits and disadvantages of membership. Discussion is essentially tabled.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs could have accomplished as much by just simply sending an e-mail to all registrants with all ready prepared Power Point Presentation and cancel the seminar.

However, I suspect the ministry is following a broader agenda that involves Prayut's economic dedication with China, no matter the benefits perceived by the Thai private sector in TPP membership.

Yes your last paragraph pretty well says it all. They no doubt will do a U turn as usual and join the Silk Road China deal. The TPP will destroy the few remaining good jobs left in the USA. These deals are signed with much pomp and ceremony but in the end the Asian component will continue with their shoddy manufacturing practices, cheap labor (controlled by governments) and lax pollution laws and thus have the playing field tilted in their favor China is a good example and Americans are finally waking up and seeing the PP quality of the items that flood their shores. Big business will flock to Viet Nam and open new factories and ship these low cost products back to the US and sell them at inflated prices and as usual they are the big winners and we the wee folk take it in the ear again. And so the world churns. If you vote the "Bern" in as president you will see his JFK moment in his first year of the presidency. Is there a secretive B613 in reality similar to the series Scandal in the USA? I think so.

I would suggest that everyone read the article from the Chicago Tribune dated February 5, 2016.

I cannot say more, as it will be controversial here.

Talk about hitting the nail on the head.Yes, it has relevance to this post, and a whole lot more....

I would suggest that everyone read the article from the Chicago Tribune dated February 5, 2016.

I cannot say more, as it will be controversial here.

Talk about hitting the nail on the head.Yes, it has relevance to this post, and a whole lot more....

What is the name of the article, nothing jumped out when I went to the Trib site.

Are you referring to the Ikea trademark case?

Edited February 5, 201610 yr by Ulic

Try this link.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-wp-blm-trade-jobs-87ba3748-cbf4-11e5-b9ab-26591104bb19-20160205-story.html

The only beneficiaries of the TPP are large multi-national corporations who, after negotiating agreements in secret with complicit governments, and without public input, are given via the TPP agreement control over all aspects of commerce and the ability to legally override the justice systems within the countries of the signers.

The only thing you, as a consumer and puppet will hear via main stream news is: Free Trade, jobs; Free Trade, jobs; Free Trade, jobs. At least read summaries of the agreements. Bad news for virtually all average people of the world. But sheep being sheep, simply mindlessly submit to shearing.