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As most MPs have joined the Democrat camp, the anti-Thaksin Shinawatra protesters would have no excuse to stage anti-government rallies any more, said Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has threatened to resume its street battle if the new government has connections with Thaksin's camp.

Foreign and domestic investors would regain their faith in the country if it were freed from street demonstrations, Santi said. Then the economy could expand by 0-3 per cent next year, he said.

The new government should help boost exports, tourism and SMEs, which had suffered under the political chaos, he said.

Pramon Sutivongm chairman of the Board of Trade, said the old political clique under the guidance of former prime minister Thaksin had failed to end the conflict. As the group's legitimacy has run out, they should give a chance to the Democrats.

"I believe the Democrat-led government could resolve the country's problems," he said.

"Although Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is relatively young, he has long experience in politics so he can restore confidence among the business community," Pramon said.

Sompob Manarangsan, an economist at Chulalongkorn University, said Abhisit was qualified to be the new prime minister according to the Constitution because he was an MP. But the new prime minister needed a credible and capable economic team to revive the economy, he said.

Somchai Jitsucho, director of the Thailand Development Research Institute, a think tank, said the shift of the political balance from Thaksin to the Democrat camp could smooth over political conflicts since the middle class in the capital threw their support to the Democrats.

Thaksin's followers might call protests against the new government but, unlike the PAD, their demonstrations would not be fierce ones since the pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship has a clear stance not to destroy any democratic government, he said.