Businessmen in Songkhla pessimistic about result

ELECTION 2007

Businessmen in Songkhla pessimistic about result

WICHAYANT BOONCHOTE

Songkhla _ Veteran tourism and hospitality business operators in the southern province of Songkhla are pessimistic about their business prospects as they lack confidence in a possible People Power party-led coalition's capability to solve the unrest in the deep South. Somchat Pimthanaphoonphorn, chairman of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotel Association, said only two People Power party (PPP) candidates won House seats in the far South.

However, he does not expect them to be able to push for any significant policies for southerners.

The Democrat party won all but three of the 56 seats up for grabs in the 11 Southern provinces in Sunday's election.

PPP leader Samak Sundaravej is not very well respected among Thai voters, said Mr Somchat. Also, Mr Samak has been involved in conflicts with several groups of people, including those very well respected by most Thais.

For these reasons, Mr Somchat does not think that Mr Samak will be capable of solving national problems, particularly problems in the deep South's tourism industry and economy which have been badly affected by the insurgency.

Songchai Mungprasitthichai, the chairman of the Songkhla Professional Guides Association, said business operators in his region do not expect much from Mr Samak or the PPP when it comes to solving the unrest. None of the previous governments have ever tried to address tourism problems in the deep South either, said Mr Songchai.

However, Nimit Chaijeerathikul, the president of the Songkhla Tourism Businesses Federations Association, is more optimistic.

Mr Nimit urged whoever forms the new coalition government to pay heed to the sluggish economy and tourism industry in the deep South.

Whether the new government is led by the PPP or the Democrats, they should have a competent economic team to run the country, he added.