Latest news with #Thai-US
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Thailand eyes swift tariff deal with US, signalling aircraft purchases
Thailand has experienced growing shortages of oil and natural gas, relying on imports for over half its energy needs. This presents an opportunity to import from the US if competitive prices are offered. - Bloomberg BANGKOK: Thailand's Finance Minister, Pichai Chunhavajira, anticipates a resolution on the country's tariff negotiations with the United States within the next fortnight. Pichai indicated a readiness for further discussions, following continuous engagement at the working group level, and hinted that Thailand's proposal might include purchasing new aircraft from the US as part of a significant plan to replace 100 existing planes. Speaking as the head of the Thai-US tariff negotiation team, Pichai told Krungthep Turakij that clarity on US customs tariffs for Thailand is expected within "one to two weeks" from now. This follows Thailand's submission of a formal proposal to the US, which has led to ongoing working-level discussions. Official negotiations are likely to follow, with Thailand comprehensively prepared to ensure its offer receives serious consideration. "Overall, due to negotiation constraints and available time, the US may not need to rush negotiations with Thailand as much as with other economically significant trading partners like Japan, South Korea, Europe, or rapidly growing economies such as Vietnam and Indonesia," Pichai stated. "However, at the working group level, we have been in constant discussion and are ready to travel for further negotiations if requested by the US." Regarding the current progress, Pichai explained that initial discussions involved clarifying the situation directly with relevant US agencies. This aimed to convey that Thailand's trade surplus with the US is not unusual, partly a result of investments by US companies in Thailand that produce and export goods back to the US, alongside other factors influencing the trade balance. Furthermore, he clarified that Thailand is actively improving internal regulations to prevent potential loopholes. This involves reviewing and adjusting rules related to "Local Content"—the proportion of domestically produced raw materials and parts—and implementing more stringent measures to prevent fraudulent export claims. Thailand has also signalled its readiness to increase purchases of goods from the US, particularly items where Thailand faces shortages and the US offers competitive prices. This includes agricultural products, with the minister confirming discussions with Thai producers regarding increased demand. Concurrently, over the past decade, Thailand has experienced growing shortages of oil and natural gas, relying on imports for over half its energy needs. This presents an opportunity to import from the US if competitive prices are offered. Crucially, Thailand plans to acquire over 100 new aircraft to modernise its ageing fleet, which could form a significant part of a purchasing agreement with US suppliers. Regarding investment, Thailand is actively promoting mutual investment. This involves encouraging Thai companies to invest in US industries prioritised by Washington, and conversely, inviting increased US investment in Thailand, particularly in jointly desired sectors such as energy. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Scholar freed but not free to go
Diplomatic challenge: A file photo of Chambers (left) standing outside a police station in Phitsanulok, where he was arrested on charges of insulting the monarchy. The case could add to Thai-US tensions, as Bangkok seeks relief from Trump's tariffs. — AP An American scholar remains in Thailand after prosecutors dropped charges against him of insulting the monarchy, his family said, as his legal jeopardy continues in a case that has raised concern in the US government. Paul Chambers, a lecturer on political science, was arrested last month in a rare case of lese-majeste against a foreigner. He could face up to 15 years in jail, based on a complaint filed by the royalist army. 'He's not allowed to leave the country, we are not sure exactly why,' his brother Kit Chambers said. His family in the United States, including his 85-year-old mother, thought he would be coming home but he remains in legal limbo, his brother said. Although the state prosecutor dropped its charges two weeks ago, police could still pursue the case, which includes a charge of computer crime. Chambers, 58, has lost his work visa and job at Naresuan University, and his passport was seized. He denies the charges, has appealed against the revocation of his visa and confiscation of his passport and is contesting his dismissal. The charges stemmed from a blurb for an online academic seminar at which he was a speaker, said a lawyer for Chambers. The blurb was posted last year on the website of a research institute based outside Thailand. Thailand's constitution enshrines the king in a position of 'revered worship', and royalists regard the palace as sacrosanct. One of the world's strictest lese-majeste laws forbids defaming, insulting or threatening King Maha Vajiralongkorn or his close family. Chambers' case could add to Thai-US tensions, as Bangkok seeks relief from President Donald Trump's tariffs on its exports. The case has attracted 'very senior-level attention' from US officials, Kit said, declining to identify officials he had been in contact with. 'These senior officials assured me that if this issue is not resolved soon, it could not only impact trade talks with Thailand but it could also impact other aspects of the US-Thai relationship,' he said. A spokesperson for the State Department declined to comment on the Chambers case's impact on bilateral relations but said it was awaiting a decision by police to carry out the prosecutor's recommendation and swiftly dismiss this case. The department has said the 'case reinforces our longstanding concerns about the use of lese-majeste laws in Thailand'. — Reuters
The Star
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
American academic in limbo in Thailand over royal insult case, family says
BANGKOK: An American scholar remains in Thailand after prosecutors dropped charges against him of insulting the monarchy, his family said, as his legal jeopardy continues in a case that has raised concern in the US government. Paul Chambers (pic), a lecturer on political science, was arrested last month in a rare case of lese-majeste against a foreigner. He could face up to 15 years in jail, based on a complaint filed by the royalist army. "He's not allowed to leave the country, we are not sure exactly why," his brother Kit Chambers told Reuters. His family in the US, including his 85-year-old mother, thought he would be coming home but he remains in legal limbo, his brother said. Although the state prosecutor dropped its charges two weeks ago, police could still pursue the case, which includes a charge of computer crime. Chambers, 58, has lost his work visa and job at Naresuan University, and his passport was seized. He denies the charges, has appealed against the revocation of his visa and confiscation of his passport and is contesting his dismissal. The charges stemmed from a blurb for an online academic seminar at which he was a speaker, said a lawyer for Chambers. The blurb was posted last year on the website of a research institute based outside Thailand. Thailand's constitution enshrines the king in a position of "revered worship", and royalists regard the palace as sacrosanct. One of the world's strictest lese-majeste laws forbids defaming, insulting or threatening King Maha Vajiralongkorn or his close family. Chambers' case could add to Thai-US tensions, as Bangkok seeks relief from President Donald Trump's tariffs on its exports. The case has attracted "very senior-level attention" from US officials, Kit Chambers said, declining to identify officials he had been in contact with. "These senior officials assured me that if this issue is not resolved soon, it could not only impact trade talks with Thailand but it could also impact other aspects of the US-Thai relationship," he said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently condemned Thailand's deportation of at least 40 Uyghurs to China, announcing sanctions on some Thai officials. A spokesperson for the State Department declined to comment on the Chambers case's impact on bilateral relations but said it was awaiting a decision by police to carry out the prosecutor's recommendation and swiftly dismiss this case. The department has said the "case reinforces our longstanding concerns about the use of lese-majeste laws in Thailand". The US Trade Representative's Office and the Thai foreign ministry declined to comment. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Paul Chambers declined to be interviewed due to the ongoing legal process. Naresuan University declined to comment. Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thai academic at Japan's Kyoto University and a critic of the Thai monarchy, said Chambers' case showed the lese-majeste law was "a legal weapon that inflicts punishment by process" and can "paralyse lives". "Even though the charges were dropped, the damage is already done - his career has been disrupted, his legal status left in limbo and his ability to move freely effectively revoked," Pavin said. A Thai government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Pavin's assertions. Police can challenge the prosecutors' decision to drop the case. If so, Thailand's attorney general would have the final say, said Yaowalak Anuphan, the head of Chambers' legal team. "The criminal case is not completed yet," she said. A police officer with knowledge of the matter, who declined to be identified because they were not authorised to speak to the media, said the case was still being considered. - Reuters
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
American academic in limbo in Thailand over royal insult case, family says
Dr Chambers, 58, has lost his work visa and job at Naresuan University, and his passport was seized. PHOTO: MARK S. COGAN/X American academic in limbo in Thailand over royal insult case, family says BANGKOK - An American scholar remains in Thailand after prosecutors dropped charges against him of insulting the monarchy, his family said, as his legal jeopardy continues in a case that has raised concern in the US government. Dr Paul Chambers, a lecturer on political science, was arrested in April in a rare case of lese-majeste against a foreigner. He could face up to 15 years in jail, based on a complaint filed by the royalist army. "He's not allowed to leave the country, we are not sure exactly why," his brother Kit Chambers told Reuters. His family in the US, including his 85-year-old mother, thought he would be coming home, but he remains in legal limbo, his brother said. Although the state prosecutor dropped its charges two weeks ago, police could still pursue the case, which includes a charge of computer crime. Dr Chambers, 58, has lost his work visa and job at Naresuan University, and his passport was seized. He denies the charges, has appealed against the revocation of his visa and confiscation of his passport and is contesting his dismissal. The charges stemmed from a blurb for an online academic seminar at which he was a speaker, said a lawyer for Dr Chambers. The blurb was posted in 2024 on the website of a research institute based outside Thailand. Thailand's Constitution enshrines the king in a position of "revered worship", and royalists regard the palace as sacrosanct. One of the world's strictest lese-majeste laws forbids defaming, insulting or threatening King Maha Vajiralongkorn or his close family. Dr Chambers' case could add to Thai-US tensions, as Bangkok seeks relief from President Donald Trump's tariffs on its exports. The case has attracted "very senior-level attention" from USofficials, Mr Kit Chambers said, declining to identify officials he had been in contact with. "These senior officials assured me that if this issue is not resolved soon, it could not only impact trade talks with Thailand, but it could also impact other aspects of the US-Thai relationship," he said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently condemned Thailand's deportation of at least 40 Uighurs to China, announcing sanctions on some Thai officials. A spokesperson for the State Department declined to comment on the Chambers case's impact on bilateral relations but said it was awaiting a decision by police to carry out the prosecutor's recommendation and swiftly dismiss this case. The department has said the "case reinforces our longstanding concerns about the use of lese-majeste laws in Thailand". The US Trade Representative's Office and the Thai foreign ministry declined to comment. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Dr Paul Chambers declined to be interviewed due to the ongoing legal process. Naresuan University declined to comment. Professor Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thai academic at Japan's Kyoto University and a critic of the Thai monarchy, said Dr Chambers' case showed the lese-majeste law was "a legal weapon that inflicts punishment by process" and can "paralyse lives". "Even though the charges were dropped, the damage is already done - his career has been disrupted, his legal status left in limbo and his ability to move freely effectively revoked," Prof Pavin said. A Thai government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Prof Pavin's assertions. Taboo discussion Police can challenge the prosecutors' decision to drop the case. If so, Thailand's Attorney-General would have the final say, said Ms Yaowalak Anuphan, the head of Chambers' legal team. "The criminal case is not completed yet," she said. A police officer with knowledge of the matter, who declined to be identified because they were not authorised to speak to the media, said the case was still being considered. Public discussion of the lese-majeste law has for decades been taboo. A court in 2024 dissolved the party that won Thailand's 2023 election over its campaign to amend the law. Since anti-government protests in 2020 that included calls to abolish the law, 281 people have been charged with lese-majeste, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. Among the 92 cases courts have ruled on since then, 53 ended in jail sentences and 14 had suspended sentences, the group said. Charges were dropped in 18 cases. All that Dr Chambers' family wants now is for him to come home as quickly as possible, his brother said. "Another worry is during this time that he is just in limbo, that more charges - false charges - could be brought against him," he said. "That would put him right back at square one." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Thai opposition pitches stimulus plan to cope with Trump tariff
The Opposition said the government can also rework its 3.78 trillion baht ($148.14 billion) budget plan for the fiscal year starting Oct 1 to shield the economy. PHOTO: EPA-EFE BANGKOK – Thailand's main opposition party called for an economic stimulus package to cope with the US tariff after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra signalled that trade talks to secure relief from the levy have been stalled. The stimulus measures should include soft loans to local exporters, subsidies for farmers and financial aid to Thai industries to deal with the 36 per cent reciprocal levy threatened by the US, said Ms Sirikanya Tansakun, a lawmaker and deputy leader of the People's Party. The government can also rework its 3.78 trillion baht ($148.14 billion) budget plan for the fiscal year starting Oct 1 to shield the economy, or resort to a one-off borrowing plan as it did during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms Sirikanya said. If need be, the prime minister should be willing to raise the legal ceiling of public debt from the current 70 per cent of gross domestic product, she said. The postponement of Thai-US tariff negotiations previously scheduled for this week has raised questions about the government's strategy to deal with tariff impact and the US concerns over the South-east Asian nation's trade surplus of US$46 billion (S$60.55 billion). No new dates have been set for talks, and Washington wants the South-east Asian nation to address a set of 'issues' related to trade before talks are held, Thai officials said on April 22. In contrast, India, Vietnam and Indonesia have already held negotiations with the US to secure relief from the hefty tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump. Ms Sirikanya said the government should lose no time in starting negotiations to get the tariff lower and prevent the economy from being hit hard. The US was Thailand's largest export market in 2024 with electronics, machinery and agriculture products topping the list of shipments. 'The economic wound from the US tariff on Thailand is expected to be wide, deep and long,' Ms Sirikanya said. 'The government should be better prepared to help Thai people and give confidence to investors. Don't just wait and see, or a lot of people will get hurt.' The Thai government has said the higher-than-expected levy on its shipments to the US could trim at least one percentage point of its growth in 2025 if it's not negotiated down. It'll need to address US concerns over currency manipulation and certificate of origin misuse, something officials have said they'd do. Thailand has offered to step up imports of US commodities like corn, natural gas and ethane, besides reducing import duties and removing non-tariff barriers to secure a deal before the 90-day pause on the so-called reciprocal tariff ends. While Thailand is taking steps to appease the US, Ms Paetongtarn's administration is also wary of antagonising China, its largest trading partner. Bangkok's trade deficit with Beijing ballooned to US$45 billion in 2024 from below US$20 billion in 2018 as Chinese companies stepped up investment to circumvent the US tariff wall. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
