TREATY
OF AMITY AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS
BETWEEN
THE
KINGDOM OF THAILAND AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The
Kingdom of Thailand and the United States of America, desirous of promoting
friendly relations traditionally existing between them and of encouraging
mutually beneficial trade and closer economic and cultural intercourse
between their peoples, have resolved to conclude a Treaty of Amity and
Economic Relations, and for that purpose have appointed as their Plenipotentiaries:
HIS
MAJESTY THE KING OF THAILAND:
His
Excellency THANAT KHOMAN,
Minister
of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand; and
THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
His
Excellency GRAHAM MARTIN,
Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the
Kingdom of Thailand;
Who,
having communicated to each other their full powers found to be in due
form, have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE
I
1.
Nationals
of either Party shall, subject to the laws relating to the entry and sojourn
of aliens, be permitted to enter the territories of the other Party, to
travel therein freely, and to reside at places of their choice and in particular
to enter the territories of the other Party and to remain therein of the
purpose of: (a) carrying on trade between the territories of the two Parties
and engaging in related commercial activities; or (b) developing and directing
the operations of an enterprise in which they have invested or are actively
in process of investing a substantial amount of capital. Each Party reserves
the right to exclude, restrict the movement of, or expel aliens on grounds
relating to public order, morals, health and safety. The provisions of
(b) above shall be construed as extending to a national of either Party
seeking to enter the territories of the other Party solely for the purpose
of developing and directing the operations of an enterprise in the territories
of such other Party in which his employer has invested or is actively in
the process of investing a substantial amount of capital, provided that
such employer is a national or company of the same nationality as the applicant
and that the applicant is employed by such national or company in a responsible
capacity.
2.
Nationals
of either Party within the territories of the other Party shall receive
the most constant protection and security, in no case less than that required
by international law. When any such national is in custody, he shall in
every respect receive reasonable and humane treatment; and on his demand
the diplomatic or consular representative of his country shall be immediately
notified and accorded full opportunity to safeguard his interests. He shall
be promptly informed of the accusations against him, and allowed ample
facilities to defend himself.
3.
Nationals
of either Party shall enjoy in the territories of the other Party entire
liberty of conscience, and, subject to applicable laws, ordinances and
regulations, shall enjoy the right of private and public exercise of their
worship.
ARTICLE
II
1.
Companies
constituted under the applicable laws and regulations of either Party shall
be deemed to have the nationality of that Party and shall have their juridical
status recognized within the territories of the other Party. As used in
the present Treaty, "companies" means:
(a)
with reference
to Thai companies: juristic persons under Thai laws, whether or not with
limited liability and whether or not for pecuniary profit;
(b)
with reference
to United States companies: corporations, partnerships, companies, and
other associations, whether or not with limited liability and whether or
not for pecuniary profit.
2.
Nationals
and companies of either Party shall have free access to courts of justice
and administrative agencies within the territories of the other Party,
in all degrees of jurisdiction, both in the defense and in the pursuit
of their rights. Such access shall be allowed upon terms no less favorable
than those applicable to nationals and companies of such other Party or
of any third country, including the terms applicable to requirements for
deposit of security. It is understood that companies not engaged in activities
within the country shall enjoy the right of such access without any requirement
of registration or domestication.
3.
Contracts entered into between nationals and companies of either Party
and nationals and companies of the other Party, that provide for the settlement
by arbitration of controversies, shall not be deemed unenforceable within
the territories of such other Party merely on the grounds that the place
designated for the arbitration proceedings is outside such territories
or that the nationality of one or more of the arbitrators is not that of
such other Party. No award duly rendered pursuant to any such contract,
and final and enforceable under the laws of the place where rendered, shall
be deemed invalid or denied effective means of enforcement within the territories
of either Party merely on the grounds that the place where such award was
rendered is outside such territories or that the nationality of one or
more of the arbitrators is not that of such Party.
ARTICLE
III
l.
Each
Party shall at all times accord fair and equitable treatment to nationals
and companies of the other Party, and to their property and enterprises;
shall refrain from applying unreasonable or discriminatory measures that
would impair their legally acquired rights and interests; and shall assure
that their lawful contractual rights are afforded effective means of enforcement,
in conformity with the applicable laws.
2.
Property
of nationals and companies of either Party, including direct or indirect
interests in property, shall receive the most constant protection and security
within the territories of the other Party. Such property shall not be taken
without due process of law or without payment of just compensation in accordance
with the principles of international law.
3.
The
dwellings, offices, warehouses, factories, and other premises of nationals
and companies of either Party located within the territories of the other
Party shall not be subject to entry or molestation without just cause.
Official searches and examinations of such premises and their contents
shall be made only according to law and with careful regard for the convenience
of the occupants and the conduct of business.
ARTICLE
IV
l.
Nationals
and companies of either Party shall be accorded national treatment with
respect to establishing, as well as acquiring interests in, enterprises
of all types for engaging in commercial, industrial, financial and other
business activities within the territories of the other Party.
2.
Each
Party reserves the right to prohibit aliens from establishing or acquiring
interests, or to limit the extent to which aliens may establish or acquire
interests, in enterprises engaged within its territories in communications,
transport, fiduciary functions, banking involving depository functions,
the exploitation of land, or other natural resources, or domestic trade
in indigenous agricultural products, provided that it shall accord to nationals
and companies of the other Party treatment no less favorable in this connection
than that accorded nationals and companies of any third country.
3.
The provisions of paragraph 1do not include the practice of professions,
or callings reserved for the nationals of each Party.
4.
Enterprises
which are or may hereafter be established or acquired by nationals and
companies of either Party within the territories of the other Party and
which are owned or controlled by such nationals and companies, whether
in the form of individual proprietorships, direct branches or companies
constituted under the laws of such other Party, shall be permitted freely
to conduct their activities therein upon terms no less favorable than like
enterprises owned or controlled by nationals of such other Party or of
any third country.
5.
Nationals and companies of either Party shall enjoy the right to control
and manage the enterprises which they have established or acquired within
the territories of the other Party, and shall be permitted without discrimination
to do all things normally found necessary and proper to the effective conduct
of enterprises engaged in like activities.
6.
Nationals
and companies of either Party shall be permitted, in accordance with the
applicable laws, to engage, within the territories of the other Party,
accountants or other technical experts, executive personnel, attorneys,
agents and other specialists of their choice. Moreover, such nationals
and companies shall be permitted to engage accountants and other technical
experts, regardless of the extent to which they may have qualified for
the practice of a profession within the territories of such other Party,
for the particular purpose of making examinations, audits and technical
investigations for internal purposes exclusively for, and rendering reports
to, such nationals and companies in connection with the planning and operation
of their enterprises within such territories.
ARTICLE
V
1.
Nationals and companies of either Party shall be accorded national treatment
within the territories of the other Party with respect to: (a) leasing
immovable property needed for their residence or for the conduct of activities
pursuant to the present Treaty; (b) purchasing and otherwise acquiring
movable property of all kinds, subject to any limitations on acquisition
of shares in enterprises that may be imposed consistently with Article
IV; and (c) disposing of property of all kinds by sale, testament or otherwise.
2.
Nationals
and companies of either Party shall have within the territories of the
other Party the same right as nationals and companies of that other Party
in regard to patents for invention, trade marks, trade names, designs and
copyright in literary and artistic works, upon compliance with the applicable
laws and regulations, if any.
ARTICLE
VI
1.
Nationals and companies of either Party shall not be subject to the payment
of taxes, fees or charges within the territories of the other Party, or
to requirements with respect to the levy and collection thereof, more burdensome
than those borne by nationals, residents and companies of any third country.
In the case of nationals of either Party residing within the territories
of the other Party, and of companies of either Party engaged in trade or
other gainful pursuit or in non-profit activities therein, such taxes,
fees, charges and requirements shall not be more burdensome than those
borne by nationals and companies of such other Party.
2.
Each
Party, however, reserves the right to: (a) extend specific tax advantages
only on the basis of reciprocity, or pursuant to agreements for the avoidance
of double taxation or the mutual protection of revenue: and (b) apply special
provisions in extending advantages to its nationals and residents in connection
with joint returns by husband and wife, and as to the exemptions of a personal
nature allowed to non-residents in connection with income and inheritance
taxes.
3.
Companies
of either Party shall not be subject, within the territories of the other
Party, to the payment of taxes upon income not attributable to sources
within such territories, or upon transactions or capital not attributable
to the operations and investments thereof within such territories.
4.
The
foregoing provisions shall not prevent the levying, in appropriate cases,
of fees relating to the accomplishment of police and other formalities,
if these fees are also levied on nationals of all third countries. The
rates for such fees shall not exceed those charged such nationals of any
third country.
ARTICLE
VII
1.
Neither
Party shall apply restrictions on the making of payments, remittances,
and other transfers of funds to or from the territories of the other Party,
except (a) to the extent necessary to assure the availability of foreign
exchange for payments for goods and services essential to the health and
welfare of its people, or (b) in the case of a member of the International
Monetary Fund, restrictions specifically requested or approved by the Fund.
2.
If
either Party applies exchange restrictions, it shall make reasonable provision
for the withdrawal in foreign exchange in the currency of the other Party,
of: (a) the compensation referred to in Article III, paragraph 2, of the
present Treaty; (b) earnings, whether in the form of salaries, interest,
dividends, commissions; royalties, payments for technical services, or
otherwise; and (c) amounts for amortization of loans, depreciation of direct
investments and capital transfers, giving consideration to special needs
for other transactions. If more than one rate of exchange is in force,
the rate applicable to such withdrawal shall be a rate which is specifically
approved by the International Monetary Fund for such transactions.
3.
Either Party applying exchange restrictions shall in general administer
them in a manner not to influence disadvantageously the competitive position
of the commerce, transport or investment of capital of the other Party
in comparison with the commerce, transport or investments of any third
country.
ARTICLE
VIII
1.
Each
Party shall accord to products of the other Party, from whatever place
and by whatever type of carrier arriving, and to products destined for
exportation to the territories of such other Party, by whatever route and
by whatever type of carrier, treatment no less favorable than that accorded
like products of, or destined for exportation to, any third country, in
all matters relating to: (a) customs duties, as well as any other charges,
regulations and formalities levied upon or in connection with importation
and exportation; and (b) internal taxation, sale, distribution, storage
and use. The same rule shall apply with respect to the international transfer
of payments for imports and exports.
2.
Neither
Party shall impose restrictions or prohibitions on the importation of any
product of the other Party, or on the exportation of any product to the
territories of the other Party, unless the importation of the like product
of, or the exportation of the like product to, all third countries is similarly
restricted or prohibited.
3.
If
either Party imposes quantitative restrictions on the importation or exportation
of any product in which the other Party has an important interest:
(a)
It shall, upon request, inform the other Party of the approximate total
amount of the product, by quantity or value, that may be imported or exported
during a specified period, and of any change in such amount or period;
and
(b)
If it makes allotments to any third country, it shall afford such other
Party a share proportionate to the amount of the product, by quantity or
value, supplied by or to it during a previous representative period, due
consideration being given to any special factors affecting the trade in
such product.
4.
Either
Party may impose prohibitions or restrictions on sanitary or other customary
grounds of a non-commercial nature, or in the interest of preventing deceptive
or unfair practices, provided such prohibitions or restrictions do not
arbitrarily discriminate against the commerce of the other Party.
5.
Either
Party may adopt measures necessary to assure the utilization of accumulated
inconvertible currencies or to deal with a stringency of foreign exchange.
However, such measures shall deviate no more than necessary from a policy
designed to promote the maximum development of non-discriminatory international
trade and to expedite the attainment of a balance of payments position
which will obviate the necessity of such measures.
6.
Each
Party reserves the right to accord special advantages: (a) to products
of its national fisheries; (b) to adjacent countries in order to facilitate
frontier traffic; or (c) by virture of a customs union or a free trade
area of which either Party may become a member, or of an interim agreement
leading to the formation of a customs union or free trade area which either
Party may enter into. Each Party, moreover, reserves rights and obligations
it may have under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and special
advantages it may accord pursuant thereto.
ARTICLE
IX
1.In
the administration of its customs regulations and procedures, each Party
shall : (a) publish all requirements of general application affecting importation
and exportation; (b) apply such requirements in a uniform, impartial and
reasonable manner; (c) refrain, as a general practice, from enforcing new
or more burdensome requirements until after public notice thereof; and
(d) allow appeals to be taken from rulings of the customs authorities.
Moreover, the customs authorities of each Party shall not impose greater
than nominal penalties for infractions resulting from clerical errors or
from mistakes made in good faith as deemed appropriate by the customs authorities.
2.
Nationals and companies of either Party shall be accorded treatment no
less favorable than that accorded nationals and companies of the other
Party, or of any third country, with respect to all matters relating to
importation and exportation.
3.
Neither
Party shall impose any measure of a discriminatory nature that hinders
or prevents the importer or exporter of products of either Party from obtaining
marine insurance on such products in companies of the other Party.
ARTICLE
X
1.
Between
the territories of the two Parties there shall be freedom of commerce and
navigation.
2.
Vessels
under the flag of either Party, and carrying the papers required by its
law in proof of nationality, shall be deemed to be vessels of that Party
both on the high seas and within the ports, places and waters of the other
Party.
3.
Vessels
of either Party shall have liberty, on equal terms with vessels of the
other Party and with vessels of any third country, to come with their cargoes
to all ports, places and waters of such other Party open to foreign commerce
and navigation. Such vessels and cargoes shall in all respects be accorded
national treatment and most-favored-nation treatment within the ports,
places and waters of such other Party, but each Party may reserve exclusive
rights and privileges to its own vessels with respect to the coasting trade,
inland navigation and national fisheries.
4.
Vessels
of either Party shall be accorded national treatment and most-favored-nation
treatment by the other Party with respect to the right to carry all products
that may be carried by vessel to or from the territories of such other
Party, and such products shall be accorded treatment no less favorable
than that accorded like products carried in vessels of such other Party,
with respect to: (a) duties and charges of all kinds; (b) the administration
of the customs; and (c) bounties, drawbacks and other privileges of this
nature.
5.
Vessels
of either Party that are in distress shall be permitted to take refuge
in the nearest port or haven of the other Party, and shall receive friendly
treatment and assistance.
6.
The term "vessels", as used herein, means all types of vessels, whether
privately or publicly owned or operated, but this term does not, except
with reference to paragraphs 2 and 5 of the present Article, include fishing
vessels or vessels of war.
ARTICLE
XI
1.
Each Party undertakes (a) that enterprises owned or controlled by its Government,
and monopolies or agencies granted exclusive or special privileges within
its territories, shall make their purchases and sales involving either
imports or exports affecting the commerce of the other Party solely in
accordance with commercial considerations, including price, quality, availability,
marketability, transportation and other conditions of purchase or sale;
and (b) that nationals, companies and commerce of such other Party shall
be afforded adequate opportunity, in accordance with customary business
practice, to compete for participation in such purchases and sales.
2.
Each
Party shall accord to nationals, companies and commerce of the other Party
fair and equitable treatment, as compared with that accorded to nationals,
companies and commerce of any third country, with respect to: (a) the governmental
purchase of supplies; (b) the awarding of concessions and other government
contracts; and (c) the sale of any service by the Government or by any
monopoly or agency granted exclusive or special privileges.
ARTICLE
XII
1.
The
present Treaty shall not preclude the application of measures:
(a)
regulating the importation or exportation of gold or silver;
(b)
regulating to fissionable materials, their radio-active by-products, or
the sources thereof;
(c)
regulating the production of or traffic in arms, ammunition and implements
of war, or traffic in other materials carried on directly or indirectly
for the purpose of supplying a military establishment;
(d)
regulating, on a non-discriminatory basis, military requisition of supplies
and implements of war in time of emergency or in time of war;
(e)
necessary to fulfill the obligations of either Party for the maintenance
or restoration of international peace and security, or necessary to protect
its essential security interests; or
(f)
denying to any company in the ownership or direction of which nationals
of any third country or countries have directly or indirectly the controlling
interest, the advantages of the present Treaty, except with respect to
recognition of juridical status and with respect to access to courts of
justice and to administrative tribunals and agencies.
2.
The
present Treaty does not accord any right to engage in political activities.
3.
The
most-favored-nation provisions of the present Treaty relating to the treatment
of goods shall not extend to advantages accorded by the United States of
America or its territories and possessions, irrespective of any future
change in their political status, to one another, to the Republic of Cuba,
to the Republic of the Philippines, to the Trust Territory of the Pacific
Islands or to the Panama Canal Zone.
4.
The
provisions of the present Treaty as regards the most-favored-nation treatment
do not apply to:
(a)
favors now granted or which may hereafter be granted to neighboring States
with regard to navigation on or use of boundary waterways not navigable
from the sea; or
(b)
favors now granted or which may hereafter be granted in virtue of national
legislation on the promotion of industrial investment.
ARTICLE
XIII
1.
Each
Party shall accord sympathetic consideration to, and shall afford adequate
opportunity for consultation regarding, such representations as the other
Party may make with respect to any matter affecting the operation of the
present Treaty.
2.
Any dispute between the Parties as to the interpretation or application
of the present Treaty, not satisfactorily adjusted by diplomacy or other
pacific means, shall be submitted, at the request of either Party, to a
panel of arbitrators for settlement in accordance with applicable principles
of international law. The panel shall be composed of three members, one
selected by each Party and the third chosen by the members selected by
the Parties. In the event the members selected by the Parties are unable
to agree upon the third member within one month, the third member shall
be one who is designated by the Secretary General of the United Nations
at the request of either Party.
ARTICLE
XIV
1.
The
present Treaty shall be ratified, and the ratifications thereof shall be
exchanged at Washington, D.C. as soon as possible.
2.
The
present Treaty shall enter into force one month after the date of exchange
of ratifications. Thereupon it shall replace and terminate the Treaty of
Friendship, Commerce and Navigation signed at Bangkok on November 13, 1937.
3.
The
present Treaty shall remain in force for ten years and shall continue in
force thereafter until terminated as provided herein.
4.
Either Party may, by giving one year's written notice to the other Party,
terminate the present Treaty at the end of the initial ten-year period
or at any time thereafter.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present
Treaty and have affixed hereunto their seals.
DONE
in duplicate, in the Thai and English languages, both equally authentic,
at Bangkok, this twenty-ninth day of May in the two thousand five hundred
and ninth year of the Buddhist Era, corresponding to the one thousand nine
hundred and sixty sixth year of the Christian Era. |