Photo Credit: New York Times
Thailand must urgently form a full government and join the “Board of Peace” to protect its export interests and avoid being sidelined in US trade negotiations, according to international economist Ath Pisalvanich.
Dr Ath warned that Thailand’s caretaker government lacks the authority to conclude trade agreements, leaving exports exposed to a baseline 19% US tariff and preventing negotiations for 0% tariff exemptions on key products.
He said Thailand risks falling behind regional competitors such as Indonesia and Vietnam, which have already secured progress in trade talks with the Trump administration. Indonesia recently signed a new agreement during a Board of Peace summit in Washington, while Vietnam, Cambodia and India are also advancing negotiations.
“The longer government formation is delayed, the greater the damage to exports, investment and economic confidence,” Dr Ath said.
He stressed that Thailand must establish a fully empowered administration by March 8, warning that further delays would significantly weaken the country’s bargaining position. Negotiations for tariff exemptions require detailed technical agreements that cannot be approved under caretaker rules, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative cannot finalise talks without a legitimate Thai counterpart.
To ease political tensions and improve trade prospects, Dr Ath urged Thailand to join the Board of Peace, describing it as a goodwill gesture that aligns with Washington’s increasingly politicised approach to trade while preserving Thailand’s neutrality.