FREE TRADE THAILAND-JAPAN AGREEMENT : Non-elected NLA advised not to rush approval of trade accord

FREE TRADE THAILAND-JAPAN AGREEMENT : Non-elected NLA advised not to rush approval of trade accord.

PIYAPORN WONGRUANG

The National Legislative Assembly should think carefully before endorsing the delayed free trade deal between Thailand and Japan since its members were not directly elected by the people, social advocates said yesterday. Because the deal would have widespread and long-term impacts, it was inappropriate for an agency appointed under a particular political circumstance to make a decision on it, said Buntoon Srethasirote, of the National Human Rights Commission's sub-panel on intellectual property rights.

''If the assembly decides to endorse the deal, there would be a problem for us in deciding whether this is appropriate,'' said Mr Buntoon.

About 10 representatives of organisations concerned about the impact of free trade yesterday met officials working on the deal.

Social activists said there were some risky points.

These included tariff cuts for waste sent from Japan to Thailand, patent rights for organisms, and the basic lack of transparency and public participation in the accord's development process.

The officials involved have made repeated claims about the huge benefits that Thais could gain from the deal, while playing down social advocates' fears over its negative effects.

Despite mounting public concerns, the interim government late last year declared that it would proceed with the deal.

Mr Buntoon said the government should suspend the trade pact and disclose the draft agreement to the public.

Instead of going ahead with the FTA, the interim government should develop a clear direction and guidelines on free trade negotiations and implementation to ease conflicts in society that might erupt as a result of the pact.

''What we need to fix about free trade agreements is the whole procedure regarding them, not just particular points raised here and there since this is only short-term problem solving,'' said Mr Buntoon.

Narong Chokewattana, vice-chairman of the NLA's sub-panel, said the draft agreement should not be rushed for consideration by the NLA.

The draft was deemed to have some risks which have not yet been fully clarified, and they needed further assessment and study to accompany the government's decision.

Mr Narong was worried over the possible impact of waste imports from Japan, which would receive a tariff cut from 1% to 0% under the deal. The waste would include slag, ash, residue from the incineration of municipal waste, other chemicals and used electronics.

The tariff cut would facilitate the export of Japanese waste to Thailand, he said.

An official from the Industry Ministry said existing legislative and waste management measures were adequate to deal with the waste trading business.

Virachai Plasai, director-general of the Department of International Economic Affairs, said the working groups were confident they had done enough to comply with the constitution, which recognised public participation although the charter had been dissolved.

If the public wanted more participation, they could use the state information law to get information on the deal.

''Negotiations are not something secret, but the documented draft is.

''It's a diplomatic norm that our country has followed for a long time to keep the deals we make with our partners secret,'' said Mr Virachai.

Bangkok Post
Friday January 12, 2007