SEVERAL SECTORS have voiced support for Thailand entering the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), saying it would benefit the economy, but some issues would need to be carefully considered where Thailand would have a small competitive edge. The Commerce Ministry approached many sectors on the issue this month.

Vice Commerce Minister Winichai Chaemcheang, as chairman of a subcommittee studying the TPP, said that as the ministry heard from the public, academics, business, and the agriculture and livestock sectors, most agreed that Thailand should join the TPP.

However, some voiced concerns that the US-led trade pact would also bring many challenges, so the government and the private sector should prepare before jumping into the deal.

To get more feedback about such concerns, the ministry will continue to conduct hearings with all sectors nationwide. Beginning next month, it will hear from people in Tak, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ubon Ratchathani, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen provinces before gathering all the information for analysis for final consideration, Winichai said. Key topics for the hearings are market access, rules of origin, trade measures, biological-varieties protection, intellectual-property rights, patent protection, geographical indication, dispute settlement between government and investors, labour protection, and the environment.

The Thailand Development and Research Institute, Thai Network of People Living with HIV/Aids, FTAWatch Group, Alternative Farming, Thai Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, and Action on Smoking and Health Foundation Thailand suggested that the government carefully study the details of the TPP and estimate the impacts and benefits to all sectors in all dimensions – economic, social, environmental and health.

They also suggested that government agencies involved in the agricultural sector educate farmers about impacts they would experience and how they should prepare for the TPP, as well as seeking remedy measures.

In the business sector, the Board of Trade, the Federation of Thai Industries and other trade associations supported joining the TPP, claiming most sectors would benefit.

Those enterprises are in various industries such as rice, sugar, frozen shrimp, canned tuna, tapioca flour, textiles and garments, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, air transport, health-related tourism, and direct sales.

However, the livestock sector – swine, cattle, dairy and poultry – said Thailand was not ready to compete in the feedmeal industry because of high production costs compared with the United States and Australia.

They said the government should help find remedy measures for farmers and help increase the efficiency of local farmers.

Last, government agencies told the ministry that Thailand needed to amend some laws and regulations, and increase law enforcement. Agencies should increase human resources and set up a fund to support research and development in some particular sectors, such as farming.