"On the possibility to conclude the round, I think it will be difficult," Somkid said after his return from Geneva. "The atmosphere was not good. Now we have to see whether the upcoming meeting with [WTO director general] Pascal Lamy can save the negotiations."

Lamy will soon meet with representatives of the G10 and the US to discuss ways to save the talks after the WTO heavyweights, the EU and the US, refused to compromise on cuts to farm subsidies.

The G10 comprises countries with heavily protected farm sectors. It includes Japan, South Korea, Norway, Switzerland and Taiwan.

"The meeting turned out to be disappointing. So it will be difficult to conclude the talks on schedule," Somkid said after attending the meeting of 149 WTO members.

Somkid said all eyes were now on Lamy and what he would do to push the talks ahead. Lamy will urge members to compromise when he meets with different groups of WTO members, such as the G10, before the last meeting of all WTO members later this month.

Karun Kittisataporn, permanent secretary of the Commerce Ministry, said the WTO talks hinged on Lamy. "The meeting of Lamy with the G10 may produce fine results," he said.

The G10 may have less clout than other groups in the WTO, but it is one of the most powerful ones and it can bring the marathon talks to conclusion, said Karun.

He also suggested that in order to make some progress in the tough talks, three key groups - the US, EU and G20 - should agree on their maximum offers for all members to benefit from the global trade rules.

Meanwhile, some trade ministers said there was a possibility to save the talks.

"It is still possible to bring about a successful Doha cycle if all parties make some effort," EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said yesterday in Helsinki.

"Clearly, the talks are in crisis - some describe it as a managed crisis. They have not failed, but certainly the round is now considered at a tipping point," Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand told a news conference in Wellington yesterday.

The Doha talks were originally meant to wrap up in 2004, but the date was pushed back to December this year. Negotiators have now missed two targets this year for an interim deal on the mathematics of cuts in tariffs and customs duties, a crucial step towards a treaty. The new goal is the end of July, but many analysts are doubtful it can be met.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation, Agencies