PRASIT TANGPRASERT
About 60% of Bangkokians say they remain politically neutral on the conflict between the People's Alliance for Democracy and the government, the latest Abac Poll reports. Assumption University pollsters questioned 2,005 people in Bangkok.
The survey concluded that 65.9% of respondents had high confidence in the country's democracy despite the continuing political mayhem.
About 12% were moderately confident, but 22.1% said their confidence was low.
Asked about their political stance, 59.9% were neutral and chose to become the silent majority.
Only 19.6% gave the government their full backing.
The PAD did only slightly better, with 20.5% supporting the anti-government demonstrators cause.
When asked about the best approach to deal with the situation, 85.1% said it should be non-violent and democratic, while 8.2% supported any means possible, even extreme measures.
Only 6.7% had no opinion.
A different survey in Nakhon Ratchasima found that the Samak Sundaravej government and the People's Alliance for Democracy have one thing in common_a lack of support in Korat.
Results of the recent survey were released yesterday.
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Drumming up votes
Democrat candidate Apirak Kosayodhin, above, who is seeking re-election as Bangkok governor, is accompanied by his wife Patima as he campaigns in Lumpini park, while People Power party candidate Prapas Chongsa-nguan, left, woos vendors and shoppers at Chatuchak market. The election is on Oct 5. — KOSOL NAKACHOL AND THITI WONNAMONTHA |
It found 65.8% of those questioned did not favour either side.
The PAD was supported by 17.7%, while 16.5% favoured Mr Samak.
The centre for teacher development studies, part of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University's faculty education, asked a sample of its students and local residents in various professions 10 questions about the political situation.
Asked if they agreed with the government's proposed referendum as a means to end the problem, 49.4% said they did, while 47.4% gave it the thumbs down. The rest preferred not to give an opinion on the issue.
When asked how Mr Samak should solve the problem, 39% said he should leave office for good, while 29% said House dissolution was the best answer.
But 31.1% felt Mr Samak should continue working for the country.
And 51.1% agreed that two coalition partners_the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana and Puea Pandin parties which have up to 10 Korat MPs_should bid farewell to Mr Samak's People Power party.
The education faculty's deputy dean in charge of academic affairs, Adisorn Naowanont, said the PAD was at risk of losing support if it did not make some compromises and kept pushing on with its ''New Politics'' policy, which he said was widely seen as being undemocratic.
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