BANGKOK, June 16 — Despite the May 22 bloodless coup in Thailand, trade relations between the kingdom and Australia remain strong, Thai Commerce Ministry adviser Ampawan Pichalai said Sunday.
Although the Australian government has downgraded relations with Thai military leaders following the military coup by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), trade relations between the two countries continue without hindrance, Ms Ampawan, acting director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office said.
Thailand and Australia have enjoyed warm relations more than 60 years while the two countries maintain several agreements on trade cooperation, she said, including the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) and the Thailand-Australia Business Council.
It is believed that the downgrade on military cooperation would not affect trade relations, she said.
The combined trade value between Thailand and Australia during the first four months this year amounted about US$4.39 billion, representing 2.9 per cent of Thailand’s total trade value.
Thailand has enjoyed a trade surplus against Australia during the past five years.
The TAFTA agreement will enable Thai small- and medium-sized enterprises to export more to Australia after Canberra opens its market more widely for Thai services and investment.
Investment in the kingdom will also increase because the country is strategically located in the heart of mainland Southeast Asia, she added.
