Good for business

(Bangkok Post)
The business sector has hailed the Sunday decision by the caretaker government to lift the state of emergency in Bangkok.
Dusit Nontanakorn, vice-chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the government made the right decision, which would restore confidence among investors and tourists.
The decree, imposed on Sept 2, damaged Thailand's image, said Mr Dusit.
Chukiat Opaswong, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the declaration of the state of emergency in Bangkok misled foreigners to imagine Thailand was enduring riots or facing a civil war, and that affected their confidence.
However, Mr Chukiat expects the political standoff to continue until the end of the year.
The government should dissolve the lower house and call a general election, he said.
Senee Phuwasetthaworn, president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, said the lifting of the state of emergency was good for the tourism industry. So many visitors have cancelled their trips to Thailand over fears for their safety, he said.
If a new government is formed promptly and demonstrators do not seal off airports or transport routes again, the tourism sector will bounce back quickly, Mr Senee said.
Vichai Lorsiri, president of the Association of Kanchanaburi Tourist Business, also agreed with the lifting of the state of emergency. He said the decree had not helped ease the political crisis but had greatly harmed tourism businesses.
The decree caused tourist numbers in Kanchanaburi to drop to almost half of their usual level seen during these months of the year, he said.
Democrat MP Narapat Kaeothong urged the government on Sunday to issue new measures to stimulate the economy. He said the state of emergency had cost the economy some 35 billion baht.
The House committee on economic development will discuss appropriate measures with representatives of the private sector at the parliament on Wednesday, he said.
Democrat MP Sansern Samalapa said Thailand could not depend on exports alone to keep its economy healthy because its trading partners were facing economic downturns.
PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang said the government should take responsibility for the damage caused by the decree.
The PAD would go on with its antigovernment protest even though the decree has been lifted, he said.
The alliance would reject the new prime minister chosen by the coalition, whoever it may be, Maj-Gen Chamlong said, adding that a House dissolution was not an acceptable solution either.
On Sunday, acting prime minister Somchai Wongsawat announced the government's decision to lift the state emergency decree immediately. Also present at the press conference at the Armed Forces headquarters were army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda and national police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan.
Mr Somchai said the political situation has improved and the continuation of the decree would further damage the national economy.