The Government of Thailand has ordered the Ministry of Commerce and related state agencies to fast-track preparations for talks on a free trade agreement with the European Union after the bloc agreed to resume political contact with Thailand.
Thailand, EU to resume FTA talks. (Photo: eeas.europa.eu)
Bangkok (VNA) – The Government of Thailand hasordered the Ministry of Commerce and related state agencies to fast-trackpreparations for talks on a free trade agreement with the European Union afterthe bloc agreed to resume political contact with Thailand.
The EU has been suspending political contact at alllevels with Thailand since the military coup in Bangkok in May 2014.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak plans topay an official visit to the EU in early 2018 to enhance the country’srelations with EU nations, particularly the UK and France.
Negotiations for the Thailand-EU FTA was launched inMarch 2013, covering tariffs, non-tariff barriers, services, investment, intellectualproperty, regulatory issues, competition and sustainable development.
The EU agreed to restore political contact with Thailandafter the country made democratic progress this year by adopting a newconstitution and committing to hold a general election in November 2018. Butthe bloc repeated its call for the restoration of full democracy in Thailand.
Poj Aramwattananont, vice chairman of the Thai Board ofTrade, said the decision by EU to resume political contact with Thailand,including FTA negotiations, is a good sign to solve the illegal, unreported andunregulated fishing issues.
He hoped that the EU will remove the yellow warning cardimposed on Thailand’s aquatic products since April 2015.-VNA
The Euromoney 2017 Greater Mekong Investment Forum has been held in Thailand to discuss various aspects of development in the Mekong countries to enhance the region's economic potential.
The Government of Thailand said on December 21 that it will lift the political ban after the bill governing election of members of parliament is promulgated, possibly in June 2018.
Thailand will begin reduce the export of natural rubber as from January 2018 to counter declining world rubber prices, according to the country’s agriculture ministry.
Anti-dumping duties will continue to be imposed on producers from China and Japan while those on relevant exporters from the RoK and Vietnam will be terminated, starting from June 23.
A specialist police unit has acquired a fleet of off-road vehicles to help officers navigate rough, unpaved terrain – and flood waters – to respond more quickly to public security incidents.
The pact covers goods, services, investments, intellectual property rights, customs facilitation, competition policy, sanitary and phytosanitary, trade and sustainable development, government procurement and economic cooperation.
The talent programmes mark another milestone in the technical partnership between PETRONAS and the Energy Institute, which focuses on three pillars: promoting decarbonisation and operational excellence through innovative solutions, enabling informed decision-making with expert advice, and nurturing the next generation of energy professionals.
The firefighters found an active blaze at the lorry depot located in the city of Pasir Gudang near the state capital of Johor Bahru, with flames spreading quickly due to strong winds and igniting a neighboring disused oil storage area.
Investigators believe the operation is part of a broader scam network involving romance scams, where victims are lured into fake relationships and persuaded to transfer money.
Ambassadors, Consuls General, along with staff and their families, joined traditional sports and cultural activities of Southeast Asia and performances bearing regional identity, thus contributing to strengthening unity and the ASEAN community spirit in New York.
In his post on social media the same day, Hun Manet said energy companies would be able to import sufficiently from other sources to meet domestic fuel and gas demands in the country.
The forum, which involves global experts and creative leaders from across 14 cultural sectors, aims to expand Thailand’s presence on the world stage through innovation and cultural exchange.
In his article, Oscar Sanchez Serra highlighted President Ho Chi Minh’s founding of the Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper on June 21, 1925, which marked the birth of Vietnam's revolutionary press rooted in a bold and far-sighted vision.
Several ASEAN meetings are scheduled to take place in Port Dickson this September, including the Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) for ASEAN Plus Three (APT), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the 15th ASEAN Maritime Forum, and the 13th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum.
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered the urgent implementation of a national policy to crack down on all forms of call centre scams, online fraud, and illegal gambling, which are now considered threats to national security.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and EAEU Trade Minister Andrey Slepnev jointly declared the conclusion of FTA talks on the sidelines of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025), according to the statement.
The article stressed that throughout his revolutionary career, the founder of modern Vietnam consistently regarded the revolutionary press as a vital part of the Vietnamese Party’s and nation’s revolutionary struggle.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
Thailand, EU to resume FTA talks. (Photo: eeas.europa.eu) 
