TCT: Asean Summit vital for economy

 He noted that the meeting will send signals to the outside world that Thailand has a functional government. This would restore the confidence of investors, tourists and trade partners. Moreover, if agreements on economic stimulus packages could be reached with China, Japan and Korea, Thailand's gross domestic product could be in the positive area.

 "Yet, if the meeting fails, GDP could be in the negative territory. This is frightening. As a developing country, Thailand needs growth to create jobs. The rising unemployment could lead to problems in the future," he said.

 He noted that the private sector is of huge concern that if the meeting could not proceed as planned, all sectors - export, tourism and investment - would suffer. He noted that the government's additional measures may help the economy only in a short term, 6 or 9 months at most.

 "Thus, the Asean Summit is vital. We plea that all parties not destroy the country by blocking the meeting for their own political gains. They should put the national economic benefits as the priority," he said.