'Interim govt' an acceptable option: Board of Trade of Thailand

[webfact]

'Interim govt' an acceptable option
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI,
KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE BOARD of Trade of Thailand believes it would be acceptable to have an interim government with full authority to administrate the Kingdom, as such a development would mean that economic growth could be driven forward again.

Meanwhile, foreign investors accept the notion of an appointed prime minister, but stress that Thailand has to set a clear date for holding the next general election soon, besides achieving both political and economic reform to prevent future problems arising.

In response to the latest developments in the political situation, the Board of Trade yesterday held |an urgent meeting among its members, with the aim of reaching agreement for the sake of the country.

Chairman Isara Vongkusolkit said private enterprises hoped the country would have a fully authorised government in place soon, following the military's declaration of martial law, so that economic growth could once again be driven forward after being interrupted by the political turmoil for more than half a year.

"Martial law is not a coup; it should create a positive outcome. However, the Act should be enforced for a limited time of no more than three or four months, that is, no later than September; otherwise, it could affect investors' and traders' confidence," he said.

In its statement, the Board of Trade said its members believed that martial law would help prevent further violence and restore peace to the country. The membership wants Thailand to have a new, authorised government, it said. However, when asked whether the next prime minister should be elected or nominated, Isara declined to answer, saying only that if the new government had full authority to administrate the country, it should be acceptable.

The Board of Trade will soon meet with the Federation of the Thai Industries and the Thai Bankers Association in the Joint Private Standing Committee to assess the political situation following the imposition of martial law.

Nandor von der Luehe, former chairman of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce, said that whether Thailand had an appointed or an elected prime minister was less important than the need for a new government to have full authority to administrate the country.

A priority issue among foreign investors is that the Kingdom should also have political and economic reform as soon as possible, in order to ensure that the country does not run into a renewed cycle of political conflict in the future, he said.

Von der Luehe also said that during the past six months of political strife, Thailand had lost competitiveness, particularly in regard to other Asean member states.

While other Asean counties had taken strides towards the Asean Economic Community, which is set to come into effect next year, Thailand has faced a major internal problem, he said, adding that new investors were hesitating to invest in Thailand, although existing investors have maintained their operations in the Kingdom.

Sa-angtip Amornchat, vice president - marketing of Power Buy, said the Army's declaration of martial law would be positive for the whole country as well as for the business sector.

Both sides in the current political conflict - the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee and the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship - are quite aggressive and have been pulling in absolutely different directions, he said.

This posed a high risk of the opposing camps of demonstrators confronting each other, with the potential for bloodshed.

"Before the declaration of martial law, we as a private business had no confidence at all. Consumers were also not in the mood for buying goods. With martial law, we have seen members of the general public, especially Bangkokians, more relaxed about the situation," said the executive of one of the country's largest electrical retail chains.


-- The Nation 2014-05-22

[MaxLee]

And so the cycle will continue, playing exactly into Thaksin's hands, and a reason for his red sheep followers to continue with business as usual aka protesting for their rights for free money from Dubai.

The reddies are not gonna sit still, even in the Martial Law period,....

[tezzainoz]

He who lives by the sword

will die by the sword

[Civil War]

And so the cycle will continue, playing exactly into Thaksin's hands, and a reason for his red sheep followers to continue with business as usual aka protesting for their rights for free money from Dubai.

The reddies are not gonna sit still, even in the Martial Law period,....

I think you will find the vast majority of the money comes from the taxpayer, there is far more flowing from Thailand to Dubai than there is the other way round.

The reds won't do jack crap..... If their is no money to be made from a proper impartial administration, they will see no reason to put their lives at risk, and if Thaksin sees he had no way of installing a government into power because of election reforms, then he won't spend a baht.

This is what you call 'Thailand growing up'.

Edited May 22, 2014 by Civil War

[rebelplatoon]

Yes it would be. But with this govetnments clinging to its last bit of power at any cost, hard to achieve.

[robblok]

And so the cycle will continue, playing exactly into Thaksin's hands, and a reason for his red sheep followers to continue with business as usual aka protesting for their rights for free money from Dubai.

The reddies are not gonna sit still, even in the Martial Law period,....

I think you will find the vast majority of the money comes from the taxpayer, there is far more flowing from Thailand to Dubai than there is the other way round.

The reds won't do jack crap..... If their is no money to be made from a proper impartial administration, they will see no reason to put their lives at risk, and if Thaksin sees he had no way of installing a government into power because of election reforms, then he won't spend a baht.

This is what you call 'Thailand growing up'.

Correct the way to get rid of Taksin and corrupt goverment is to have strict rules in place against corruption a strong anti corruption agency with sufficient budget. Make sure nepotism is countered and then not much money can be made so Taksin and other corrupt officials wont invest large sums of money to get into power.

This works good for EVRYONE because it will keep corrupt officials out. Unfortunately for the reds most of their club is corrupt so they would not run. But they also claim Suthep is corrupt (could be) so he would not run either.. win win in my book.

[kerrysum]

And so the cycle will continue, playing exactly into Thaksin's hands, and a reason for his red sheep followers to continue with business as usual aka protesting for their rights for free money from Dubai.

The reddies are not gonna sit still, even in the Martial Law period,....

I agree,

The wifey is heading back to Thailand, soon.... Not too happy about it, but what gets in the news? One never knows until they arrive there....

Never seen the real news of what really happens in Thailand.... too many fingers in the pie? Thailand was once the best kept secret in the world....

But seems to go to so many countries these days... Dare I blame it on corruption?

Just a thought....... Let the people be free.......

Kerry

[toybits]

But from what I know the Board of Trade is NOT THE PEOPLE....

[Fat Haggis]

But from what I know the Board of Trade is NOT THE PEOPLE....

Neither is the Senate, especially the non elected ones who owed their positions to last military "intervention", bu this is what they're planning to do, and more than likely to happen, they will simply re write the rules because they can, they have the totally impunity to be unaccountable for their course of action.

No matter what way you look at this, unless this Interim PM is agreed on by ALL sides, and is 100% no partisan to any party, then there's going to be some very very pissed off people.

There has been so much collusion behind the scenes, that even Stevie Wonder can see the power plays.. and I'm 1000% sure that some TVF members will be gloating and rubbing their hands with delight and using the old "I told you so", up to them, makes no odds, it just means there's not going to much to talk about once Suthep has his dreams fullfiled

[BlackCedar]

Yes it would be. But with this govetnments clinging to its last bit of power at any cost, hard to achieve.

Do not worry or think too much .... its a Thai thing ... Soon the Shinewatras will be gone, all the sheep will follow by fair means or foul ... An independant Prime Minister will be installed by the generals ... he will pick his Ministers ... Thailand will move on in an orderly fashion ... When and only when those guys in power decide ... maybe 2 years away ... an election will be held .... For the Thai people, I hope that reforms will sweep away the corruption which plagues this nation .. (but I doubt that while there still are police) ... It's what always was going to happen right from the start ... Thaksin knew it as soon as his Amnesty Bill was thrown out. It's why he did not throw his money around, and he let his sister take the fall, a truly wicked and horrid man. Suthep will also now be binned, he has done his job .... Time for all to move on... and the fallen fruit to rot... The Reds will go to bed and the PDRC will go back to paying tax.. and nothing for all the STUPID farang to post about...

[Fat Haggis]

Are you referring to all Farang as being stupid?

[chotthee]

Are you referring to all Farang as being stupid?

The fact is, some Farang are.