The aim of the bill is to ensure that future governments' FTA negotiation procedures are conducted according to an accepted standard.

During a conference to gather opinions from various agencies on the draft legislation, TDRI research director Somkiat Tangkitvanich said the procedures were important and the draft was in response to criticism that the government's negotiations had not been transparent enough.

He stressed that legislation was necessary because governments will have to negotiate with other countries and sign more free-trade pacts. They should allow the public to participate in the negotiation process.

He said there were two different opinions on the Kingdom's trade liberalisation. Some believe it will negatively affect the poor and worsen revenue distribution. Others, mostly large industrial and commercial operators, have encouraged the government to sign FTAs in order to boost competitiveness in international trade and investment.

The draft bill calls for government negotiators to inform the public of all possible impacts from signing agreements, said Somkiat.

After completing the bill, the TDRI plans to propose it to the National Legislative Assembly as soon as possible.

The draft legislation is part of the Legislative Watch project, which is funded by the Thailand Research Fund (TRF).

TRF executive director Piyawat Boon-long said the project had two objectives. One is to consider proposed laws that may favour a minority, and the other is to propose eight acts that are expected to be useful for the Kingdom's future economy and society, such as the telecom business law, the broadcasting business law and the privatisation procedural law.

Krit Kraichitti, director-general of the Treaties and Legal Affairs Department, said he welcomed the draft on FTA procedures. However, the writers should study carefully the regulations of the World Trade Organisation and the International Monetary Fund before proposing the draft, he said.

He added that the draft did not explain definitions and intentions clearly. Moreover, its content should be revised to cover not only trade and investment but also financial issues.

Meanwhile, Jacques-chai Chomthongdi, a researcher from the FTA Watch group, said the group would submit its trade and investment negotiation treaty-making bill to the National Legislative Assembly on Friday.

The bill, whose content is similar to the TDRI draft, will focus on public participation in the Kingdom's trade and investment negotiations, including the environmental and social impact.

Chalida  Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation