June 25, 2008
BANGKOK - Thailand plans to resume free trade talks with the United States, which were put on hold after a military coup in 2006, according to government spokesperson Wichienchote Sukchoterat.
A commerce ministry’s senior official has recently had a meeting with a US trade representative in Washington DC on resuming the Thai-US free trade agreement talks.
No timeframe was given. But an unofficial mechanism was set up to get rid of any sticking points.
The United States is Thailand's biggest trading partner.
"The discussions will lead to FTA talks... and will lead to increase in investment and trade," said Wichienchote.
Trade talks with the United States began in 2003, but have been dogged by controversy, particularly over patent protection for US pharmaceutical products.
