ThaiCham urges non-violent resolution

Members of the private sector yesterday expressed concerns that antigovernment protests would intensify after parliament deferred the charter rewrite vote by one month.

Six proposed drafts were tabled with the House, but government coalition MPs and senators delayed a vote on whether to accept them for a first reading until November. Student activists have been rallying to demand a charter rewrite.

Kalin Sarasin, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the business community hopes the government and parliament will handle the charter amendment issue without resorting to a confrontation with the students.

“We hope the state and [the students] will peacefully resolve the issue and avoid violence which would hinder economic recovery,” he said.

However, Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said the ongoing political unrest will not affect the kingdom’s image because foreigners have been investing locally for many years.

“Investors understand Thailand’s political situation, and the government doesn’t make the problem their business in Thailand,” Mr Supant said, adding foreign investors believed the state can manage the political situation. “Everything runs smoothly.”