BANGKOK, Aug 8 (TNA) -- Stressing that Thailand has cooperated with the US to protect its intellectual property rights in the past, the Thai government has asked President George W. Bush during his visit here to adjust the ranking of this country from the US 'Priority Watch List' (PWL), a senior Thai foreign ministry official said on Friday.
Nongnut Phetcharat, director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs American and South Pacific Affairs Department, said what Thailand would achieve from the visit of Mr. Bush between Wednesday and Thursday was that Washington may consider improving the kingdom's trade status with Thailand by adjusting from the PWL.
This year, the two countries celebrate the 175th anniversary of bilateral relations. Thailand enjoys trade surplus of about Bt300 billion annually on trade with the US.
The US has downgraded Thailand and placed the kingdom on its PWL from its Watch List, reasoning that the kingdom had not implemented strong protection measures against illegal goods.
Also, Thailand had expressed concerns to the US on its trade sanctions against Myanmar, Mrs. Nongnut said. The sanctions affected not only the Myanmar people, but also impacted Thai industrial exports, especially exports of Thai jewellery.
The Thai government hopes that the US will find measures to cushion the country from that impact, she said, adding that details on the issue were not discussed by Mr. Bush and Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Wednesday. (TNA)
Political News : Last Update : 19:23:44 8 August 2008 (GMT+7:00)
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