Thai businesses prepare to cope with protesters’ planned "Bangkok shutdown"

BANGKOK, January 7 (TNA) - Thailand's private businesses, including exporters and gold traders, have prepared to cope with "Bangkok shutdown" from January 13, 2014 onwards as announced by the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC). Nopporn Thepsitthar, Chairman of the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC), acknowledged on Tuesday that the ongoing domestic political situation has affected cargo transport and slowed down business transactions. Nopporn told journalists, however, that local exporters used to cope with unusual circumstances, including protests and a severe flooding in late 2011, and they have gained experiences to cope with them, like postponing their cargo deliveries. Nopporn noted that overseas buyers are now, somewhat, concerned over the punctuality of Thai export deliveries and some buyers may, instead, order food, textile and electrical appliances from other rival countries. Nopporn assessed that the value of Thai exports should grow by 5-7 per cent year-on-year in 2014, as expected, because of the economic recovery of Thailand’s trading partners, saying that he views the United States, Japan, Europe and China as major markets Thailand are to maintain, while Southeast Asia, Australia, America and Southern Africa are considered the country's emerging markets. According to the TNSC chief, Thai exports which benefit from the depreciation of the Thai baht include lowly-profitable goods, namely rice, while imports are normally affected by the weakening Thai currency. The TNSC chief pointed out this year's bright prospect rests with Thailand's exports of chicken, prawn, electrical appliances, electronic equipment, automobiles, auto parts and garments, thanks to the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Jitti Tangsithpakdi, President of Thailand's Gold Traders Association, suggested, meanwhile, if protesters block roads and pose serious risks in the way that obstruct businesses next week, affected gold shops should close, but if they are not affected, they can continue to do business as usual.(TNA)