Eleven influential organisations, leading businessmen and the Department of Export Promotion yesterday voiced optimism regarding the anti-government red-shirt rallies that start today.
All said the protests would not affect business operations or descend into violence.
They met to brainstorm ways of minimising the impact on their businesses in case violence did break out in Bangkok this weekend.
There was unanimous agreement that violence would harm Thailand's chances of becoming a regional trading centre.
Thai International Freight Forwarders Association president Suwit Ratanachinda said there could be some bad traffic jams this weekend but that business operations would generally be unaffected.
"To ensure normal operations, we should prepare for the unexpected," he said, adding that any violence would only hurt Thailand's reputation among foreign traders.
Thai Garment Manufacturers Association vice president Somboon Juasathirattana said exporters rushed to complete their shipments yesterday, in order to avoid incurring any losses.
They feared disruption by the protesters of the Kingdom's 300,000-400,000 containers shipped each day through all ports. "Shipments will not be affected by the demonstrations, because exporters planned in advance and finished everything before Friday," he said.
Companies have also sent messages to their customers explaining the local political situation.
DEP director-general Srirat Rastapana said no shutdowns of ports, airports or any form of transportation were anticipated.
The government and the private sector will cooperate to address any situation that should arise, in accordance with lessons learned in the past. The DEP has set up a centre to facilitate traders in the event any unexpected situations arise, she said.
Siam Cement Group president and CEO Kan Trakulhoon said the business sector wanted to see peaceful demonstrations and expected no violence this weekend. "Political turmoil resulted in a slowdown in economic growth for several years. Each sector should work for the benefit of the country rather than become immersed in confrontation," he said.
Kan pointed out that if Thailand enjoyed greater political stability, the economy could actually beat this year's forecast of 5-per-cent growth. However, the ongoing turmoil has obstructed growth, with tourism the hardest-hit sector.
Saha Group CEO Boonchai Chokwatana said the private sector was very concerned about this weekend's protests and certainly did not want to see the situation become as bad as - or worse than - the Songkran riots last April.
"I believe the government will be able to control the situation and keep the peace with minimum effects on the public. The meticulous preparations aimed at keeping a lid on the situation will boost consumer confidence, because there'll be no panicking and no hoarding or speculating by traders taking advantage of any chaos," he said.
However, Black Canyon (Thailand) CEO Pravit Chitnarapong expressed a high degree of concern about third parties trying to sow confusion during the red-shirt rallies.
Meanwhile, Internal Trade Department director-general Chutima Bunyapraphasara met with 39 representatives of department stores, convenience stores, suppliers, distributors and related associations.
The meeting was held to draw up measures to ensure a supply of food and other goods in the event violence did break out.
Retailers reported that consumers had already been purchasing more goods than usual, due to the school break.
