Foreign investors question the situation in Thailand

As Thailand struggles to find a safe and sustainable way to reopen its borders, and images of street protests reach a global audience, foreign investors say they need more details on what they can and cannot do in Thailand under the new state of emergency.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) is calling for more details and a long-term plan on how Thailand will slowly reopen and how foreign companies can continue to invest in the country under the current restrictions.

The state of emergency, hastily announced at 4 a.m. Thursday morning and approved by the Thai cabinet yesterday afternoon, is sending mixed signals to businesses, and the Thai Chamber of Commerce is calling for clarification.

TCC President Kalin Sarasin says foreign investors are asking if they can continue holding conferences and meetings in Thailand after decrees banned gatherings of more than five people.

The Nation Thailand newspaper reports that chambers of commerce in Thailand's provinces are also asking Kalin if they will be able to continue with planned activities.

"It would take a few days to judge whether the state of emergency will affect the confidence of foreign investors.

The economy could escape damage from political unrest if anti-government protests end soon.

Meanwhile, according to the Japan External Trade Organization, "Japanese faith in Thailand remains high."

JETRO Chairman Atsushi Taketani said Japanese investors "still have confidence in Thailand and remain committed to steering its economy regardless of the current political situation."

The Industrial Estates Authority of Thailand says Thailand's major economic flagships, including the development of the Eastern Economic Corridor, will not be affected by escalating political tensions.

And the authority's deputy governor, Attapon Jirawatjanya, said that... "the ongoing anti-establishment protests would be a short-term problem."

Note: If these student protests are truly the work of students with no ties to foreign countries, they will indeed surely end in the short term, but if they are part of the many so-called "democratic" protests organized by foreign networks around the world (like the color revolutions), they will continue even if it means further worsening the economic situation in Thailand.

See also:

Protests in Thailand: Everything you need to know

Police dispersed protesters in Bangkok with high-powered water cannons, with more demonstrations planned for today

Thailand's economic outlook is highly uncertain, says central bank

Source: thethaiger.com