Free Trade Agreement

1.1. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

The TCCT has considered and commented on becoming a member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The TCCT has commented on Chapter 13 of the draft RCEP agreement (Competition), made a Thai translation of the agreement, summarized the trade competition, and assigned a representative as a lecturer in the public hearing project “In-depth analysis of RECP, and preparation for use and adaptation”. The negotiation stated herein has concluded.

1.2. Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement of Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

The TCCT has considered Thailand’s negotiations to join the CPTPP, made observations and preliminary adaptation guidelines based on the CPTPP Commission’s report, as related to trade competition in e-commerce. Regarding the CPTPP’s obligations on trade competition regulation, the Trade Competition Act B.E. 2560 has accommodated all the obligations. On trade competition and e-commerce, the TCCT is improving effectiveness on trade competition law enforcement and building cooperation with relevant agencies to handle trade competition in e-commerce.

1.3. ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA)

The TCCT has coordinated with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board of Thailand and commented on the expansion of trade competition scope to cover consumer protection. There is also coordination with the Department of Trade Negotiations and participation in preparatory meetings for the joint ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement commission meeting. The TCCT has prepared for discussion with the ASEAN Secretariat, OCPB, and DTN for negotiations in relevant issues.

1.4. EU - Thailand Free Trade Agreement

The TCCT has prepared for and attended the EU - Thailand Free Trade Agreement meeting for policy-making. The TCCT sees that the Trade Competition Act B.E. 2560 has covered all issues, and the current FTA will benefit the TCCT in forming international cooperation.

1.5. EU – ASEAN Free Trade Agreement

The TCCT has prepared for and attended the Thai preparation commission meeting to define the scope of the EU – ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. Important trade competition issues that the TCCT needs to consider and participate in are enforcement of trade competition laws on state enterprises and government support.

1.6. ASEAN – Canada Free Trade Agreement

The TCCT has commented on the Reference Paper for a Possible ASEAN – Canada Free Trade Agreement, made by the ASEAN Secretariat, based on the ASEAN’s view on the preparation of the ASEAN – Canada Free Trade Agreement.

1.7. Provision of information and comment on the WTO’s operations

The TCCT has provided suggestions and comments on the draft WTO report made by the Thai government, and prepared supplementary information for review of Thailand’s trade policy, and WTO Director-General’s trade policy related to trade competition. The TCCT also comments on and prepares information for the e-commerce regulation negotiations under the WTO, and examines the review of Myanmar’s trade policy, and inquires about relevant trade competition issues.