Shun Violence After Thai Election, Say Business Sector, Media

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Shun violence, say business sector, media

By Siriporn Chanjindamanee

The Nation

Five business organisations and two media associations yesterday called on all parties to desist from violence after the election and work towards reconciliation.

With the July 3 election less than two weeks away and politicians running intense campaigns, concerns have been raised about the possibility of violence after the election.

They issued a joint statement calling for a commitment by politicians to respect the election results and prevent any more violence in society. Ambassadors and envoys from many countries joined the press conference titled "Approaching Reconciliation by Overcoming Violence."

The five business organisations were: the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organisations, the Thai Bankers' Association, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, Tourism Council of Thailand, while the two media organisations were Thai Journalist Association and Thai Broadcast Journalists Association.

Charamporn Jotikasthira, president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, a representative from the Thai Capital Market Organisations, said that political division had played a large part in eroding investor confidence in the Thai stock market. He said that in one month during the strife-torn month of May last year, foreign investors' net-sell of Thai shares was valued at Bt60 billion. He warned if this continued, investors would shift their investments to other markets.

"The violence last year killed the Thai capital market's immunity. We must come out to fight against possible violence. If all parties want to recreate confidence and proceed with reconciliation, there must be no more violence," he said.

Foreign investors have shown signs of a loss of confidence, as in the past three weeks their net sales topped Bt20 billion. Some brokerage houses also underweighted Thai stocks on political concerns.

"New violence could cause even more damage if we take into account that foreign investors' net sell in the Thai bourse within one month last year was Bt60 billion," he said.

He said opinion surveys pointed to a high likelihood of post-election violence. This is a grave cause for concern as political tension in the past 5-6 years have caused huge damage to the economy and investor confidence, which have affected people from all walks of life. He said that though political parties have vowed to bring about reconciliation, there is no concrete proposal yet.

"Businesses have been worried. There are attempts to call for justice for some groups. We are following the situation closely and find that as it gets closer to the election, the more worrisome the situation is becoming," said Tawachai Yongkittikul, secretary-general of Thai Bankers' Association.

"The media are doing their duty as a watchdog, and warning of possible violence after the election," president of the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, Visoot Komwachara-pong, said. "We don't want to see journalists taking risks on a battlefield. We don't want to see journalists from around the world covering the fight among Thais."

Visoot said the group would talk to more agencies that understand and agree that we need to join hands to solve the problems.

Kriangkrai Teeranokul, deputy secretary-general of the Federation of Thai Industries, said, "Unless we can overcome violence, foreign investors will overlook our country and choose to invest somewhere else."

Piyaman Techapaiboon, chairman of the Tourist Council of Thailand, said Thailand's tourism industry has very high potential. It can expect up to Bt1 trillion income from tourists. However, political turmoil might hit it hard as in the past.

"Even one line in a news report can affect tourism. I am begging all parties to help avoid violence so that Thailand can be the same, bring back the smiles," Piyaman said.

"Unless you take action, you'll have to take the blame as you have volunteered to solve the country's problems," chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce Dusit Nontanakorn said in his appeal to politicians.

The organisations jointly released a statement amid expectations of post-election violence. In the statement, the seven organisations came up with three proposals:

1 All political parties as well as political groups must accept the election result, and avoid taking any action that could lead to violence.

2 All political parties must be committed to engage in the process of reducing violence and bring about reconciliation. It must be a public agreement that the process is an urgent item on the agenda.

3 The process of reconciliation must be guided by an independent organisation that is not part of the conflict, through proper and fair means.

The Pheu Thai Party yesterday issued a statement in response thanking the group for their comments. The party said it agreed with all the points and viewed them as constructive. It said the proposals were also in line with the party's stance and policy to move on from disputes and bring peace to Thailand through reconciliation.

It also affirmed that if it formed the next government, it would follow the guidelines and aim to create reconciliation in Thailand soon.

-- The Nation 2011-06-21

[sbk]

I strongly suggest that anyone posting in political threads in news read the pinned announcement before posting

[brianb1944]

PTP will follow the guidelines if it forms a Government. What will it do if it doesnt form Government??

[Bkkorupcountry]

PTP will follow the guidelines if it forms a Government. What will it do if it doesnt form Government??

PTP will follow the guidelines if it forms a Government. What will the army do?

[bf2002]

PTP will follow the guidelines if it forms a Government. What will it do if it doesnt form Government??

Who cares what PTP does if it can't form a govt. Everyone in touch with things here knows they will....unless certain unnamed powers decides to screw with actual voter choice AGAIN.

The question is what if the Democrats lose? Certain portions of their backers have a HISTORY of ex-judicial actions cloaked as loyalty or judicial and moral.

I am betting this 2nd group will prevent Thailand from finally moving on. They are either too afraid or too greedy to accept the public vote.

Edited June 21, 2011 by bf2002

[dcutman]

If the history of the past 5 or 6 years holds, there will be a revolt against the winner. In my opinion there is no doubt there will be hard feelings, and accusations of corruption in one or the others campain. There is no doubt it is going to get ugly, and with the very powerfull military wanting and needing one party to win, and its not the PTP.

Just hang on because it is going to be a wild ride starting 4 july.

I really just want the airport to be open when I arrive in late August.

Edited June 21, 2011 by dcutman

[geriatrickid]

A well timed public announcement. I believe the groups referenced make a valid point and I hope people listen. The economic damage that would follow a violently disputed outcome would ravage the economy.

[animatic]

If the history of the past 5 or 6 years holds, there will be a revolt against the winner. In my opinion there is no doubt there will be hard feelings, and accusations of corruption in one or the others campain. There is no doubt it is going to get ugly, and with the very powerfull military wanting and needing one party to win, and its not the PTP.

Just hang on because it is going to be a wild ride starting 4 july.

I really just want the airport to be open when I arrive in late August.

Agreed, it is not gonna be pretty.

[EvilDrSomkid]

It seems like many people in every social stratum of this country is recklessly bent on destroying it.

Is this Thai Culture?

Any criticism of authority figures is frowned upon and foreigners are blamed for having a bad effect on morals.

Sad.