Political clashes events firms hope for early end to turmoil

Political upheaval will have ended before the October to February high season for events, organisers said.

If it does not, they will experience hard times, they added.

"If turmoil continues and the polit¬ical atmosphere keeps experiencing unexpected shocks, the coming high season will turn out to be bad for business," CM Organiser chief executive Sermkhun Kunawong said yesterday.

Since the second quarter, all busi¬nesses have worried about unexpected incidents as a result of antigovernment protests, and now they have a state of emergency to further furrow their brows.

Many events were cancelled immediately after the government announced the imposition of the state of emergency in Bangkok.

Others have been postponed without new dates being announced.

Sermkhun said political worries had "significantly affected" event organising. He has revised down industrygrowth estimates from 10 per cent this year to a 5percent contraction. The industry is currently worth Bt13 billion a year.

The government will delay state events and the private sector will take a waitandsee approach, experts said.

Small event organisers could feel the downturn hard while larger companies will carry on with campaigns as planned, the industry said.

Cochief executive of Index Event Agency Kriengkarn Kanchanapokin said political unrest was affecting the industry "psychologically", especially among corporate clients.

However, he remains optimistic that the situation is short term.

The areas of the business that are at highest risk are "not widespread". He includes shopping malls.

Index has events scheduled every day this week and next, but none has been cancelled.

CM Organiser has a big vehicle launch next week, which is unaffected.

But both CM and Index are keeping a close eye on political movements and are ready to react as the situation unfolds.

Kriengkarn suggested the govern¬ment dissolve Parliament because the Election Commission had ruled the Constitution Court should adjudicate on the breakup of the People Power Party.

A new election would rejuvenate the business climate, he said.

"If this turmoil ends soon, many companies will certainly spend more on events to boost sales in the high season to compensate for losses incurred so far," he said.

Because the future is unclear, he suggested companies prepared carefully and well and set business plans.

There is another factor to consider - the funeral of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana on November 15. The govern¬ment has asked for there to be no enter¬tainment events during this period.