The private sector believe the anti-government protesters’ call for a nationwide strike and boycott of products and services with links to the Shinawatra clan would fail to put pressure on the government.
Paiboon Polsuwanna, chairman of the Thailand National Shippers' Council (TNSC) warned the Democrats’ attempt to wage a campaign of anti-government civil disobedience amid the economic slowdown could cause more harm than good.
Ex-Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban, who is leading an anti-Thaksin, anti-government protest at Democracy Monument, on Friday announced four new protest measures.
Protesters at Democracy Momument make 10 krathongs, each of which has a message of offences allegedly committed by the "Thaksin regime" and images of Thaksin and Prime Minister Yingluck. The krathongs are on display at the rally site. Photo by Patipat Janthong
He urged people to sign a petition to impeach the 310 MPs and senators who signed in support of the amnesty; symbolically condemn people seen as Thaksin "sidekicks” by blowing whistles at them; boycott products or services sold by firms affiliated with the Shinawatra business empire; and urged government officials nationwide to stage a general strike and encourage more people to join the rally.
Mr Paiboon said people wanting to contact government offices, which is already a slow and time-consuming process, would face more difficulty if civil servants answer the call to stop working.
The work stoppage could be difficult to implement because workers have to struggle for their livelihoods and families.
Showing up at the Democrat-led rally at Democracy Monument in the evening after work was already appropriate, Mr Paiboon said.
On an appeal announced last week to ask private companies to delay paying taxes, Mr Paiboon said the practice contradicted anti-corruption efforts. People are duty-bound to pay tax and to avoid paying it is an act of graft.
The civil disobedience campaign against Thaksin and the Pheu Thai- led government should take into account the collective interests of the majority of people and the country’s image, he added.
Payungsak Chartsuthiphol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), described the current political climate as "sensitive" and said the private sector did not want to see Thailand lose more opportunities than it has done because the economy has slowed significantly this year.
Boonchai Chokwatana, the chairman of Saha Pathanapibul Plc, Thailand's leading consumer conglomerate, believed that although many people may boycott products or services with links to the Shinawatra clan, the move would not put enough pressure on the government.
Business owners should not launch marketing campaigns to try to boost sales as the ongoing political protests are leading people to become more cautious about their spending, he said.
Executive staff of Thaksin's Shin Corp have declined to comment on the boycott campaign, citing the sensitivity of the issue.
Tarit Pengdith, director-general of the Department of Special Investigation, said on Sunday that the DSI will gather more evidence before showing the list of businessmen who had sponsored anti-government protests in Bangkok.
Mr Tarit said the protest leaders and sponsors might face legal action if they are found to have violated the law.
Investigators were transcribing speeches of the protest leaders and their ties with the sponsors, he said.