Do what is needed to end conflict or economy may suffer, bosses warn
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The government should end the political conflict as soon as possible as it has affected economic stability, according to some top executives in the private sector.
Dr Boon Vanasin, chairman of the Thonburi Hospital Group, said the government should use its majority in the House of Representatives to kill the controversial blanket amnesty bill permanently instead of allowing the bill to expire in the next 180 days.
Moreover, the government should quickly proceed with major investment programmes, such as the Bt350-billion water-management project and the Bt2-trillion infrastructure project, to push this year’s growth in gross domestic product to about 4-5 per cent to restore investors’ confidence.
Boonyong Tansakul, managing director of Singer Thailand, said Parliament should be dissolved to bring temporary relief to the current political conflicts and tension, as the situation is not conducive to negotiation between the opposing sides. Members of the National Reconciliation Committee have resigned one by one, the Senate failed to achieve a minimum quorum to vote on the amnesty bill last Friday, and the public’s confidence in the government has dropped.
The current conflict has forced all parties involved to focus on the problem at hand at the expense of paving the way towards prosperity and economic growth for the country via the Bt2-trillion mega-projects, he said.
Likit Fahpyochon, former president of the Thai Retailers Association, believes the prolonged political rallies have a psychological impact on consumer spending, especially the middle-income group with considerable purchasing power, many of whom have joined protest rallies in Bangkok and major provincial cities and tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Phuket and Samui.
Anake Srishevachart, vice chairman of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, fears that if there are violent clashes between opposing groups, this will make foreign tourists worry about their safety. Several countries have issued travel-advisory warnings.
Dr Kesara Thanyalakpak, executive director of Sena Development, said the current political conflicts and protests had affected sales, consumer spending and the stock market, and might cause foreign-capital outflows as fund managers become concerned over the potential risks if the conflict is prolonged.
The Bt2-trillion mega-projects could be shelved if the current government has to step down, Kesara warned.
