ID :
114618
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 09:56
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/114618
The shortlink copeid
Chamber calls on government, Red Shirts to end conflict before Songkran
BANGKOK, April 2 (TNA) – Concerned with impacts on Thailand’s image in the eyes of foreign investors and business people from the ongoing political divide, the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) on Thursday called on the government and the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) to end their conflict prior to the Songkran festival.
TCC Chairman Dusit Nonthanakorn said in a statement expressing the chamber’s stance on the ongoing political conflicts that it has a grave concern over the situation because it could affect Thailand’s image to such an extent that many countries lack confidence and warn travelers to revise their plans to visit Thailand.
The latest survey found foreign arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport in March dropped from an average of 45,000 per day to 38,000, and are expected to continue falling.
The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) Economic and Business Forecasting Center projects the number of tourists will decline by 20-30 per cent, which could cause damage equivalent to Bt8-10 billion to the economy.
Such losses would have a domino effect on consumption and employment during May and June. Consumer spending is expected to drop by Bt500-800 million daily on average and incomes earned from tourism by Bt200-500 million a day.
Mr Dusit said the foreign investment and business communities are anxious about the continued political standoff and feel uncertain about trade and investment in Thailand.
Should the situation continue unabated, TCC is concerned that the country’s business and society would be in crisis because it could stem the foreign capital inflow, put the economic development to a halt, and make the country lose its competitiveness.
Consequently, it wanted to call on the government to step up efforts to resolve the economic problems and make a concrete plan to cope with corruption, create social equalities and fairness, enforce the law with all groups of people equally to prevent an alleged double standard, and protect the lives and property of people in the remainder of its term.
Equally important, the government must accelerate coping with investment suspensions in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate to restore foreign
investor confidence.
Simultaneously, he said, UDD must exercise restraint, try to keep its political rallies in a peaceful manner, and assign its representatives to negotiate with the government for a solution to the ongoing conflicts.
He said TCC hoped to see all Thai people celebrate the Songkran festival with their families happily and without any concerns.
The chamber will raise its proposal for discussion at the meeting of the Joint Private-Sector Committee on Monday, he added. (TNA)
TCC Chairman Dusit Nonthanakorn said in a statement expressing the chamber’s stance on the ongoing political conflicts that it has a grave concern over the situation because it could affect Thailand’s image to such an extent that many countries lack confidence and warn travelers to revise their plans to visit Thailand.
The latest survey found foreign arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport in March dropped from an average of 45,000 per day to 38,000, and are expected to continue falling.
The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) Economic and Business Forecasting Center projects the number of tourists will decline by 20-30 per cent, which could cause damage equivalent to Bt8-10 billion to the economy.
Such losses would have a domino effect on consumption and employment during May and June. Consumer spending is expected to drop by Bt500-800 million daily on average and incomes earned from tourism by Bt200-500 million a day.
Mr Dusit said the foreign investment and business communities are anxious about the continued political standoff and feel uncertain about trade and investment in Thailand.
Should the situation continue unabated, TCC is concerned that the country’s business and society would be in crisis because it could stem the foreign capital inflow, put the economic development to a halt, and make the country lose its competitiveness.
Consequently, it wanted to call on the government to step up efforts to resolve the economic problems and make a concrete plan to cope with corruption, create social equalities and fairness, enforce the law with all groups of people equally to prevent an alleged double standard, and protect the lives and property of people in the remainder of its term.
Equally important, the government must accelerate coping with investment suspensions in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate to restore foreign
investor confidence.
Simultaneously, he said, UDD must exercise restraint, try to keep its political rallies in a peaceful manner, and assign its representatives to negotiate with the government for a solution to the ongoing conflicts.
He said TCC hoped to see all Thai people celebrate the Songkran festival with their families happily and without any concerns.
The chamber will raise its proposal for discussion at the meeting of the Joint Private-Sector Committee on Monday, he added. (TNA)
