Govt pushing Chile trade deal

“The government always waits until the last minute before seeking legislative approval for international agreements,” he said.
Alongkorn said he suspected the government tactic was aimed at forcing the legislation’s passage without allowing a full debate on relevant issues.
He said the government should outline the likely ramifications of a Thai-Chilean trade deal to lawmakers, instead of rushing the bill’s passage.
Deputy Commerce Minister Nuttawut Saikuar presented the bill on the House floor as an urgent agenda item.
Nuttawut said the urgency was justified because Chilean President Sebastian Pinera would pay an official visit to Bangkok on Friday.
During the visit, Pinera and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra are scheduled to witness the signing of the trade agreement, he said.
The agreement was drafted in three languages – Thai, English and Spanish – and the Chilean leader was keen to sign the document written in Spanish, he said.
The agreement would boost trade ties between the two nations. Chile is Thailand’s third largest trading partner in Latin America, following Peru and Argentina.