Thailand is preparing to enter free-trade talks with the European Union despite opposition by health activists.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, right, is shown around the Belgian parliament yesterday. The premier has taken Thai delegates to discuss issues related to a freetrade agreement with European Union representatives in Belgium on a two-day trip.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said the first negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement will take place in Brussels in May. Talks will then be organised at least every quarter, including in Bangkok.
The negotiations will last more than one year, Mr Kittiratt said.
He was accompanying Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on a visit to Belgium and Sweden.
Mr Kittiratt said the government will treat the public's health as a priority in the negotiations.
He said the government's representative have agreed to meet activists during the FTA negotiations.
The cabinet approved the framework of the negotiations on Dec 4 last year.
The government has appointed Olarn Chaiprawat, the Thai trade representative, as head of the negotiation team.
Mr Olarn, who joined Ms Yingluck on the visit yesterday, said he had met Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, to introduce himself. He estimated the negotiations would take no longer than two years.
The Board of Investment secretary-general Udom Wongviwatchai said the Thai-EU FTA will benefit the economy.
Thailand will be disadvantaged if it fails to sign the pact as several countries including Singapore have reached an agreement with the EU.
International health activist groups said yesterday they opposed Thailand's decision to join the FTA negotiations.
Health Action International Europe, Oxfam International, and Action against AIDS Germany said they were worried about the effect the FTA could have on access to medicines. They said the EUs position on intellectual property protection in previous FTAs, including earlier failed negotiations between the EU and Asean, suggest the EU will push for intellectual property standards that go beyond Thailand's World Trade Organisation (WTO) obligations and will limit access to medicines.
The group is also concerned the EU is likely to introduce investor-state dispute provisions. Under these provisions drug companies could claim government health regulations undermine their IP-related investments. This could lead to drug firms suing the government, and may limit the chances of the government taking measures to reduce the cost of medicines.
"The EU should ensure its trade policy is in line with its development objectives, including specifically enhancing access to medicines," the group said.