PRAYUT LOOKS TO SHORE UP US TRADE TIES
September 27, 2015. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha sought to ease concerns over human trafficking and forced labor in a meeting with senior United States business lobbyists Saturday, an apparent effort to shore up confidence amid weakening economic data.

Speaking at a dinner with members of the US-Asean Business Council in New York, the prime minister said his military government was committed to solving long-standing problems including human trafficking, forced labor and illegal fishing. He said the government was intensifying its efforts to wipe out corruption and promote transparency in the state sector.

Trade and investment-related regulations were also being streamlined and standardized, he told the group, while labor skills were being upgraded and public infrastructure improved to help draw investors.

Gen Prayut said these improvements would also help prepare future governments if they decided to bring Thailand into the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact. The prime minister has so far refused to commit to a decision on joining the TPP.

Gen Prayut called on the members of USABC to convey his government’s political will to US importers.

The prime minister attempted to present a platform of political stability to the business group, which represents more than 140 of the largest US corporations, promising a general election would take place in 2017. In the lead-up to those polls, Gen Prayut said the military-installed government would focus its efforts on implementing reforms to strengthen social, economic and foreign affairs.

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