Thailand considers joining TPP negotiations

Thailand is considering joining negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement but needs to further study the pact’s terms and conditions, said Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak on September 14.

Thailand is considering joining negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement but needs to further study the pact’s terms and conditions, said Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak on September 14.

Thai Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

The official, who is also an experienced economist, said the 12-member trade bloc’s economic activities represent about 40 percent of the global economy, adding that Thailand’s interest in the TPP would put it “on their radar screen.”

The Deputy PM’s remarks are counter to recent foreign policy moves of the Thai Government; last month, PM Prayuth Chan-ocha denied a call from a US business lobby group urging Thailand to join the TPP.

Negotiations on the US-initiated TPP agreement began in 2005 and have so far attracted the participation of 12 countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US and Vietnam.