The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has predicted that economic confidence and tourism will be significantly affected by anti-government mass rallies in Bangkok. Some countries have started to delay investment in Thailand.
Deputy President of the FTI Thanit Sorat said hotel reservations in Bangkok dropped by 30% following the mass rallies. Exports remained intact since no sea port had been closed and most industrial factories were located in the vicinity of Bangkok. The groups of business people who were suffering from the protests the most were entrepreneurs and SMEs in the rally sites, Mr Thanit said.
The FTI will meet with entrepreneurs to discuss preparations for the effects on infrastructure and transportation if the rallies were prolonged. There are many countries who have expressed concerns over the political protests in Bangkok and some of them have postponed their investment plains in Thailand, according to the deputy president.