Private sector favours parliamentary solutions

He said on Wednesday that solutions under the democratic regime should be sought through parliamentary means, including the reconciliation on the amnesty bill. All issues could not win 100 per cent approval and things should proceed with majority approval votes. All involved need to resort to reasons. Personally, he believed that thorough consideration is not impossible given that it normally takes some time to enact a bill.

He made the comment as some Democrat Party MPs led anti-government protesters towards Parliament on Wednesday, despite the government's enforcement of the Internal Security Act.

Payungsak noted that all political gatherings should be non-violent. Such gathering should not put a brake on development and all parties should put the national interests as the priority.

Somkiat Anurat, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, noted that differences over the amnesty bill should be neutralised in Parliament. He wished that the political rally would not lead to a clash. 

He noted that while the group at Lumpini Park and supporters of Democrat Party was still under control, possible violence after this would hurt tourists' confidence at the time when the tourism industry is the only leg boosting the economy. Meanwhile, the high season for the tourism industry is approaching. Political conflicts could affect the economy, when domestic consumption and export are still shaky.