rl32314 order code us thailand free trade agreement negotiations april 1 2004 raymond j ahearn and wayne m morrison specialists in international finance foreign affairs defense division summary on october 19 2003 president bush thai prime minister thaskin agreed to negotiate a bilateral fta the administration notified congress february 12 that it intends begin starting 90 day period for consultations with private before can actually commence march 30 two sides announced would june 28 notification letter sent congressional leadership representative robert zoellick put forth an array of commercial policy gains could be derived from states particularly beneficial agricultural producers who have urged move forward as well companies exporting goods services investing there mr also alluded sensitive issues will need addressed automobiles protection intellectual property rights