In response to fierce resistance from civil society groups against the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the government has decided to withdraw a proposal to the cabinet to sign up to the trade deal.
Previously, the Thai government had told its Japanese counterpart that it would be ready to make a decision by the end of April. The Commerce Ministry, with strong backing from Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, had tabled the treaty for cabinet consideration today -- but withdrew it at the last minute.
Recently, the Trade Negotiations Department insisted it was necessary for Thailand to join the pact, which came into force in December 2018, so the country wouldn't miss the economic boat.
"If Thailand does not join the pact, it will lose an opportunity and be overtaken by neighbouring countries Singapore and Vietnam which have already joined," Trade Negotiations Department chief Auramon Supthaweethum said last week, adding the agency had thoroughly studied all the impacts of the trade deal.
Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Vietnam, Singapore are full parties to the CPTPP, while Brunei, Chile, Malaysia and Peru have signed up but have yet to ratify the agreement.
Thailand's civil society groups, spearheaded by FTA Watch and BioThai, countered Ms Auramon's claims, saying the treaty still contains a number of contentious issues that will put Thai farmers at a disadvantage if allowed to take effect.
Among the parts considered outrageous by civic advocates are the intellectual property provisions under the controversial Protection of New Varieties of Plants Convention. Better known as UPOV199, they prohibit farmers from saving and reusing seeds which contain patented plant materials. According to the department, farmers still have the rights to store seeds -- but only for non-commercial use.
Other concerns are related to the pact's impact on accessing affordable medicines, as their availability is directly linked to intellectual property rights and patents through compulsory licensing.
There are also concerns that Thailand's consumer protection mechanisms will be undermined, especially in relation to potentially-risky products such as genetically-modified food. By joining the CPTPP, Thailand will have to open its doors to genetically-modified products, as dictated by clauses on the trade of modern biotechnological products.
Civic society groups have also lambasted the drive to push the contentious treaty by state agencies that have failed to observe principles of public participation. Consultations and hearings in the past year were just cosmetic -- devoid of any intention to actually listen to groups' concerns.
Dr Mongkol Na Songkla, the former minister of public health, condemned the attempt to push the controversial treaty during the Covid-19 outbreak. The ill-timed move, he said was "reckless and would directly harm the country and its people".
Kannikar Kijtiwatchakul of FTA Watch welcomed the U-turn, but said it's not enough.
She insisted the government shouldn't just try to fix the flawed provisions. Instead, the activist urged the government to dump the pact right away. In her opinion, the impact of the trade-related intellectual property framework will be disastrous.
The activist is not exaggerating in saying that people -- especially the poor -- are going through a terrible ordeal because of Covid-19 and the CPTTP will not help them. On the contrary, the pact will make it worse.