US ambassador requests ease in foreign trade restrictions

This Wednesday, Thai Government was requested by US ambassador, Eric G. John. To ease some restrictions contained in the Foreign Business Act, as this would facilitate foreigners doing business in the kingdom.

According to the statements given by Thai Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai after the meeting with Mr. John, the envoy wanted a change in some restrictions in the Act, such as a foreign executive being required by the Thai law to attend an executive board meeting, which he said might cause inconvenience to foreign businesspersons who live abroad.

Mrs. Pornthiva said the issue is now under consideration by the Council of State and the ministry would bring up the issue to the Cabinet. She added that during her official visit to US next month, she would explain to the authorities about Thailand’s efforts and progress made in stamping out counterfeit and pirated products. This would influence the US government’s decision to remove the country from its ‘Priority Watch List’ to the ‘Watch List’.

The US Trade Representative Office (USTR) placed Thailand and 11 other countries, including China, India and Russia, on its ”Priority Watch List” of countries to be closely monitored regarding their protection of intellectual property rights.