Thai Trade Rep Weerapong Discusses Thailand-EU FTA with EU-ABC

Matichon•Economy•12h ago

Reader Briefing

Thai Trade Representative Weerapong discussed the acceleration of the Thailand-EU FTA and economic cooperation with European business leaders.

•Weerapong Prapha met with representatives from the EU-ABC and EABC on July 21.
•The Thai government is prioritizing the conclusion of the Thailand-EU FTA to enhance long-term competitiveness.
•Over 57% of surveyed European business groups are ready to expand investments in Thailand within the next 5 years.

•On July 21, Weerapong Prapha and Ministry of Commerce executives met with business leaders from the EU-ABC and EABC.
•Weerapong Prapha presented the Thai government's economic and trade policies to European investors to build confidence in the Thailand-EU FTA negotiations.
•The Thai government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has established a working group for the Thailand-EU FTA, divided into 6 clusters including agriculture, industry, and energy.
•European private sector representatives suggested establishing a joint public-private working group to help Thai entrepreneurs compete in the EU market, particularly regarding sustainability rules.
•The European private sector expressed interest in improving the Foreign Business Act 1999 and enhancing intellectual property laws.
•In 2025, trade value between Thailand and the EU was 45,033 million USD, with Thailand maintaining a trade surplus of 7,864 million USD.
•The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) is scheduled for signing in November.

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Weerapong Prapha(วีระพงษ์ ประภา)

Thai Trade Representative who led discussions with European business councils.

Supajee Sutthampun(ศุภจี สุธรรมพันธุ์)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce.

Noel Clehane(โนเอล คลีเฮน)

Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the EU-ABC.

Pharanee Adulyapichet(ภารณี อดุลยพิเชษฐ์)

President of the EABC Thailand.

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

Prime Minister of Thailand.

Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️

The Thai government ministry responsible for trade and commerce.

EU-ABC(สภาธุรกิจสหภาพยุโรป-อาเซียน)

The European Union Business Association to ASEAN.

EABC(สมาคมการค้ายูโรเปียนเพื่อธุรกิจและการพาณิชย์)

The European Association for Business and Commerce.

European Union(สหภาพยุโรป)ℹ️

Thailand's fourth largest trading partner.

ASEAN(อาเซียน)ℹ️

The regional organization involved in the Digital Economy Framework Agreement.

Thailand(ประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The country seeking to accelerate the FTA with the EU and serving as chair for DEFA negotiations.

Thailand-EU FTA(ความตกลงการค้าเสรี (FTA) ไทย-อียู)

A free trade agreement that the Thai government is prioritizing to conclude quickly.

Digital Economy Framework Agreement(กรอบความตกลงทางเศรษฐกิจดิจิทัลของอาเซียน)

An ASEAN economic framework scheduled for signing in November.

Foreign Business Act 1999(พระราชบัญญัติการประกอบธุรกิจของคนต่างด้าว พ.ศ. 2542)

A Thai law that European businesses are interested in seeing improved.