Businessmen: Samak's return unwanted

 Suchart Chantranakaracha, chairman of Thai National Shippers' Council, said that disqualification of Prime Minister Samak did not guarantee the end of the political turmoil as People's Alliance for Democracy is vying to destroy former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's nominee.

"We [businessmen] are still concerned with continuing political conflicts because the PAD had not yet succeeded the goal, while the People Power Party still insists to name Samak as the prime minister. This will increase political tension," said Suchart.

He called for all involved not to vote for Samak's return in order to ease tension. The best solution to solve the problem is naming someone as the premier, while all involved including the government, the opposition, and the PAD must join a negotiation to end the political chaos.

 Nandor von der Luehe, president of the Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce, said that foreign investors are anxiously waiting for the easing of political tension in Thailand.

 He hopes that the conflict will end soon in order to restore foreign investors' confidence.

 Von der Luehe said that foreign investors are closely watching the next political move, when politicians must think what would be the best for the Kingdom.

 Chookiat Ophaswongse, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, is also afraid that political tension would rise as PPP vows to vote for Samak when Parliament is to name the new prime minister. 

 Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said that if Samak is voted back, the tension would rise and political crisis would be prolonged.

 Concerned with Samak's return, Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said the Cabinet reshuffle should not seriously affect investment policies.

 Wallop Vitanakorn, president of Hi-Tech Apparel, said members in the People Power Party should consider carefully if they want Samak to further steer the country.

 "I want them to give priority to the country's benefits. I believe nobody wants to the prolonged political turmoil," he said.

 Boonchai Chokwattana, president of Saha Pathanapibul Plc, said that the Constitution Court's ruling has eased the intense political situation but the political unrest would return if Samak is voted back to the office.

 He added that the new premier should win public acceptance and possess acumen to manage the country. The new premier should also uphold transparency.

  Witawat Jayapani, chief executive of advertising agency Creative Juice/G1 said that the political storm would not end if Samak returns.

 Kongkrit Hiranyakit, chairman of Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), said tourists around the world should perceive the court's ruling positive, as Thailand should be a safer place.

 "I would say that he (Samak) should not come back again. If he returns, the situation will worsen," said Kongkirt.

The council scheduled to meet with its 60 association members next week to assess the political impacts on the business and seek solutions.

 Pornsilp Patcharintanakul, deputy secretarygeneral of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and the Board of Trade of Thailand, said that the new government must be formed immediately in order to ensure that all government's policies will run continuously while the Declaration of the State of Emergency must be revoked as soon as possible.

 "It was not the most important issue who will be the next premier, but the new cabinet must be formed soon as the country will stay in vacuum without a government."

TCC's vice chairman Phongsak Assakul said that if all Cabinet members return, the political turbulence would continue.