The country has before said it aimed to seek membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership , as competition intensifies in electronics and agriculture from rivals such as Vietnam and Malaysia.But Auramon Supthaweethum, director general of the Department of Trade Negotiations, said on Monday it would boost Thailand's gross domestic product by 0.12%, or 13.3 billion baht , with investment up 5.14%, and exports up 3.47%.
"After the coronavirus pandemic, trade and investment rules will change... It's necessary for Thailand to seek new partners or trade pacts, such as CPTPP, to make it competitive for trade and attractive for investment," Auramon said. If Thailand decides to join, it will set up a committee to negotiate rules and conditions. The decision would then need approval from parliament, Auramon said.