Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered related agencies submit by the middle of next month the final studies on the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) so that the government can make a decision whether to apply to join the pact.
Anucha Burapachaisri, the government spokesman, said yesterday the premier has ordered related agencies to speed up submission of the studies to him by April 15, in lieu of three months earlier, proposed by the International Economic Policy Committee which met on Feb 5.
Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai, chairman of the International Economic Policy Committee, said on Feb 5, the government still needs all related agencies to conduct more in-depth studies themselves, as suggested by the house standing panels and the in-depth study process could take about three months before Thailand can make the decision whether to apply to join the CPTPP.
The cabinet agreed in May last year to set up house standing panels to look into whether Thailand should sign up to the controversial Asia-Pacific trade agreement, amid widespread concerns of harm to the agriculture sector.
The decision came after it decided in April last year to shelve a decision on CPTPP membership following stiff opposition from politicians, civil society groups and prominent social figures who said it would hurt the economy, particularly the agricultural and healthcare sectors.
The panels were required to submit their studies within 30 days. They were supposed to submit their studies in early July last year, but they asked for a 60-day extension. The new deadline was in early September.
The International Economic Policy Committee chaired by Mr Don acknowledged the studies of the house standing panels on Feb 5.
The CPTPP was launched in 2019 to remove trade barriers among the 11 nations representing nearly 500 million consumers in the Asia-Pacific region.
The pact replaced the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a similar trade pact that included the US until the Trump administration decided to withdraw.
Studies by the house standing panels have found the CPTPP would deal a heavy blow to small-scale farmers if Thailand becomes a member of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV 1991), as required by the CPTPP.
The government is being urged to speed up upgrading laws and regulations to protect varieties of Thai plants and biodiversity.
The panels' studies also found funds to remedy the impact of free trade agreements continue to be insufficient to cover all segments that would be affected by the pact.
The panels also expressed concerns about opening the market for remanufactured goods, which may result in Thailand importing low-quality medical equipment.