Trade tsars to declare assets

       The three members of Thailand's Trade Representative are among state officials required to declare their assets after taking office under a new ruling from the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
       NACC member Somluck Jadkrabuanpol said the requirement came into effect on Sept 17, when the regulation was published in the Royal Gazette .She said the law allowed the NACC to determine which state officials were subject to the asset declaration requirement.
       The NACC decided that as Thailand's Trade Representative was an important post and involved protection of the public interest, the members should be required to declare their assets on taking office as well as leaving.
       The three serving TTR members are Kiat Sittheeamorn, the team leader,Suthad Setboonsarng and Vachara Phanchet.
       The office, which can negotiate trade deals with overseas governments, was created by the Thaksin Shinawatra government to increase international trade and improve coordination between ministries on trade matters.