Thailand's final decision on TPP to be announced in April

The Thai government is urged to give a clear decision to join the Trans-Pacific-Partnership (TPP) by April, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said on Tuesday.

Somkid was briefed at a meeting with Thai Commerce Ministry that a study conducted by the Panyapiwat Institute, Thailand's first corporate university focused on China-ASEAN economy studies, found that Thailand would have more to gain than lose by joining the TPP, especially in manufacturing sectors such as automobiles and parts, electronics, computers, textiles and garments.

The study also showed that agriculture and non-governmental organizations, in terms of trade of farm products and intellectual property rights for medicines, would have to seek measures to counter the TPP's negative impacts.

Somkid called on the Commerce Ministry and relevant government agencies to create an understanding among those who will be likely to suffer from joining the pact, adding that all results should be presented at the meeting of the International Economic Policy Committee chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on April 29 to announce an unequivocal decision.

Twelve members of the TPP, signed in February in Auckland, account for around 40 percent of global GDP.

Though Thailand is not one of the four ASEAN members - Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam - currently part of TPP, Bangkok, along with the Philippines and Indonesia, has been expressing their desire to join the trade pact. Enditem