Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANGKOK6039
2006-10-03 02:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:  

THAILAND TRADE AGREEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

Tags:  ECON ETRD EAGR TH 
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VZCZCXYZ0016
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBK #6039 2760257
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 030257Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2026
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
UNCLAS BANGKOK 006039 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/TPP/MTA EKOCH
STATE PASS USTR FOR HIRSH
USDOC FOR TCC/4110
USDA FOR ITP/FAS/BERTSCH

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EAGR TH

SUBJECT: THAILAND TRADE AGREEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

REFTEL: STATE 152063

UNCLAS BANGKOK 006039

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/TPP/MTA EKOCH
STATE PASS USTR FOR HIRSH
USDOC FOR TCC/4110
USDA FOR ITP/FAS/BERTSCH

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EAGR TH

SUBJECT: THAILAND TRADE AGREEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

REFTEL: STATE 152063


1. Thailand's trade relationship with the U.S. is guided primarily
by each country's commitments in the World Trade Organization.
Negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement began in 2004 but
have been delayed due to continuing political troubles in Thailand,
and its completion before expiration of Trade Promotion Authority in
2007 is uncertain. Thailand is a signatory with the U.S. on a Trade
and Investment Framework Agreement and a Treaty of Amity and
Economic Relations.


2. Embassy Bangkok conducts a regular bimonthly "Econ Cluster"
meeting which reviews economic developments including trade barrier
complaints. The Econ Cluster is chaired by the DCM and includes
representatives from the economic section, FCS, FAS, USAID and
Public Affairs.


3. The economic section is tasked with monitoring RTG compliance
with WTO and other international agreements and conventions. FCS
deals with market access issues and trade barrier complaints from
individual U.S. companies. FAS handles market access and trade
barriers to U.S. food and agricultural exports.


4. This year FCS has organized regular meetings with U.S. business
leaders from specific industries to hear trade concerns and develop
plans of action to address them. To date the Ambassador has met
with the pharmaceutical, consumer goods and transportation
industries.


5. Contact point for Embassy Bangkok for compliance reporting is
Peter Thorin, Economic Officer. Email: ThorinPD@state.gov.

ARVIZU