Bangkok Post - 23 September 2025
New round of EU FTA talks set
The conclusion of the Indonesia-European Union (EU) free trade agreement (FTA) does not affect Thailand's ongoing negotiations with the EU, with the seventh round of discussions set for the end of this month.
However, Thailand is expected to finalise its FTA negotiations with the EU after the previously targeted date of Dec 25.
Chotima Iemsawasdikul, director-general of the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN), said the Indonesia-EU pact completion does not affect Thailand's negotiations with the bloc.
Typically it takes about two years for an FTA to take effect, as 27 EU members must present it to their parliaments for approval and ratification.
She said a potential benefit for Thailand is it can analyse the details of that agreement and apply those insights to its negotiations.
Ms Chotima said seven of the 24 chapters of the agreement have been concluded. The seventh round of Thailand-EU FTA negotiations are scheduled for Brussels, Belgium, from Sept 29 to Oct 3.
The focus will be on more complex remaining chapters and issues such as government procurement, competition and state-owned enterprise subsidies, sustainable trade and development, intellectual property, and market access protocols for goods, services and investment.
"We have communicated to the EU that despite the ongoing transition in Thailand's government, we are determined to reach the FTA conclusion. Even with the potential of parliamentary dissolution due to new elections, the discussions will continue," said Ms Chotima.
She said Thailand earlier aimed to wrap up the negotiations by Dec 25, but the deadline may not be met due to the complexity of the FTA details. However, the negotiations will continue and are expected to conclude by early next year.
The EU has FTAs with Vietnam and Singapore, and is expected to sign the agreement with Indonesia on Sept 23.
Ongoing negotiations are continuing with Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia, which recently resumed talks. The EU is also seeking to negotiate with India.
Thanavath Phonvichai, president of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said Thailand is not lagging behind despite the recent Indonesia-EU agreement, as the EU is focusing on establishing FTAs with Asean countries on a bilateral basis.
The EU is Thailand's fourth-largest trading partner, following China, the US and Japan.
In 2024, bilateral trade was valued at US$43.5 billion, comprising 7.17% of Thailand's total trade. Thai exports to the EU totalled $24.2 billion, while imports tallied copy9.3 billion.
During January and April this year, bilateral trade was valued at copy4.3 billion, with exports at $8.43 billion and imports $5.91 billion.
Key Thai exports to the EU include computers, equipment and peripherals; gems and jewellery; air conditioners and parts; rubber products, and automobiles and auto parts.
Major imports from the EU consist of machinery and parts; pharmaceutical and medical products; aircraft, gliders, aviation equipment and parts: chemicals; and electrical machinery and parts.
