The FTI explained that the political crisis was putting an additional strain on the economy via the slowing down of consumption, investment and government spending, which is badly affecting SMEs and the service sector that depend heavily on domestic consumption and tourism. FTI chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree went on to say that many SMEs were hit by the problem of liquidity and if the political turmoil continued till the end of 2014, some would be forced to close down