Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak on Friday ordered the Commerce Ministry to submit a request to become a CPTPP member while the government remains in power. "The government's clear stance on the CPTPP and the RCEP will help boost trade and investment sentiment," Mr Somkid said. The CPTPP replaced the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a similar deal that included the US until the Trump administration decided to withdraw. In 2017, the 11 CPTPP countries' GDP made up US$10.5 trillion (330 trillion baht), making up 13.3% of the world's GDP. Thailand had a trade surplus worth $5.3 billion with the 11 CPTPP members last year.

Source: Bangkok Post February 08, 2019 21:45 UTC