Thai judicial system fair, say businessmen

During the chamber's monthly meeting on Wednesday, Thai private businessmen and foreign investors shared the view that they still have confidence in the Thai justice system and fair regulations.

Vice chairman Dusit Nontanakorn said that private enterprises have strong confidence in the system as well as the country's laws.

"Nothing has been found to suggest interference in the legal and justice system that would bring down investment confidence. We businessmen believe in the fair practices of the courts and the justice system and will retain our investments here," he said.

The comments were in response to Thaksin's announcement on Monday that he had found judicial interference and double standards in the justice system and that was why he and his wife Pojaman to jump bail in a corruption case involving the Ratchadaphisek land scandal.

The couple failed to show up before the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, which later ordered their bail money of Bt13 million seized.

Dusit said that the Thai private sector wanted to respond to Thaksin's accusation as part of its social responsibility and with the good intention of protecting the country based on fair practice.

He added that the International Institute Management Development (IMD) had also backed up Thailand's highly efficient judicial system. The IMD had ranked Thailand at 26 from 55 countries that have a fair and transparent justice system.

Dusit added that Thai economic fundamentals were still strong in the view of Thai businessmen and investors and that Thaksin's comments should not affect existing businessmen. In addition, he called for foreign investors to carefully consider any information that they received from all sources, saying they must consult with local enterprises before making any decisions.

Once foreign investors had discussed the situation with businessmen here they would find that Thailand was still one of the best countries for investment, he added.