Confusing the line between political messages and trade is something that Thailand seems to be struggling over regarding a bilateral free trade agreement with Japan. The agreements (Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement) provisions are mostly being kept in the dark, but what has been revealed is recieving mixed reviews. Waste from Japan would be exchanged into Thailand if the agreement is passed, while Thailand hopes to greatly benefit in their agriculture department from such an agreement.
The problem is that no clear defentions of the Japanese waste have been determined, and many officials are concerned that hazardous, perhaps toxic waste could be included. Officials taking this stance argue that more clear defentions of the waste, and better explanations to the Thai people who might be affected (specifically farmers in the Klong Toey district) should occur.
Arguing against this view are officials who believe that establishing an agreement is a great step in a direction encouraging other world powers to trade with Thailand. Most argue that the agreement itself should be permitted, and more intense sanctions later discussed.
One must therefore wonder if the health and security of the Thai people are more important than attracting foreign trade. True that, as a political message, establishing new trade agreements is efficient and successful. However, it is also important to pay detail to what, exactly, is going to be traded...
(Lexis-Nexis article referenced; no HTML.
Global News Wire
Thai Press Reports
February 20th, 2007).
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