Thailand to Face Investigation on Cigarettes

Source from:  Tobaccojournal.com 10 Nov 2008 11/11/2008

The World Trade Organisation will investigate Thailand's treatment of imported cigarettes later this month, according to a meeting agenda circulated on Friday, Reuters reports. The document shows that the Philippines has lodged a second request for a panel to look into what it calls discriminatory practices against cigarettes entering Thailand. Thailand had blocked the initial request to allow more time for talks to resolve the dispute, as is allowed under WTO rules. On the second request, a panel is launched automatically. The Philippines said it was seeking to ensure that imported cigarettes get fair treatment at the border and in the Thai market, which is dominated by the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly. "Currently, these basic requirements are not fulfilled because the playing field on which imported and domestic cigarettes compete is uneven," Manila told the WTO. Thailand responded saying its customs and fiscal laws were fully consistent with WTO rules, and hoped to resolve the matter through bilateral talks. Enditem