BANGKOK, March 15(Xinhuanet)-- The Thai business sector has lost billions of baht so far from continued mass rallies against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, according to the official Thai News Agency on Wednesday.

Business persons in Bangkok's prime trade areas in Silom, Mahesak and Patpong said Tuesday that the continued rallies had caused stress and disrupted normal trade and investment flows in the country.

Businesses in Bangkok's prime areas had lost billions of baht from continuing mass rallies over the past two months, jeweler Pornchai Chuenchomlada was quoted as saying. The baht fluctuates at about 40 baht per U.S. dollar.

Pornchai said damage to the overall Thai economy could be much greater.

Business representatives called for all parties to stop their protest and use electoral means to decide on the country's political direction.

"Traders do not take any side in politics, but are against those who are against the country's economic growth," said Pornchai.

Meanwhile, president of Thailand's gold traders association Chitti Tangsithiphakdi called for all parties in the current conflict to return to the negotiation table to quickly end the political turmoil for the sake of the country's steady growth and development. Enditem