All parties involved in the conflict over leadership of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) should talk it over and rapidly end the dispute, Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said on Friday.
Mr Kittiratt said the government did not want to see any dispute in the FTI and that talks should be held to peacefully end the problem.
Industry Minister Prasert Boonchaisuk had set up a committee to look into the matter, including the legality of the resolution to dismiss FTI chairman Payungsak Chatsuthipol early this week, he said.
Asked whether the dispute would affect the FTI's effectiveness, Mr Kittiratt said at this time all parties must work together and if the difference can be settled internallywithin the organisation, it should be done.
Asked about reports the dispute arose because the FTI chief had failed to protect small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the impact of the government’s 300 baht daily wage nationwide policy, Mr Kittiratt said that actually Mr Payungsak had always opposed this policy.
Mr Payungsak had even proposed to the government measures to provide assistance for the SMEs affected by the wage hike, he added.
For the moment, the government considers that Mr Payungsak is still the FTI chief and will work together with him until the case is made clear, said Mr Kittirat.