'Silent majority' fault govt

Of the survey respondents, 57.9 per cent, or the "silent majority", said they are politically neutral, 33.1 per cent are government supporters and 9 per cent government opponents.

The silent majority said they were beginning to feel upset with the government's failure to solve the problems of rising prices and floods, refusal to implement the new minimum wage across the country, appointment of inappropriate people to political offices and move to amend the Constitution for its own interest.

However, the silent majority was still willing to give the government the chance to run the country, as 78.5 per cent of the respondents agreed to give her more time to show results.

Opponents said they want to stage a protest against the government, given that there are dependable leaders.

Supporters said they were satisfied that the government assigned red-shirt leaders to important political posts because they represent the grassroots and not the elite or ruling class.

They admire Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, saying that although she was rich, she was humble.

 They see the Pheu Thai Party as their saviour and the party that will bring back their voice and bargaining power.

If former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returns to Thailand, they will roll out a red carpet for him and no one needs to hire them to welcome him back home.

Other government supporters said they had struggled against the coup-makers for the sake of democracy, not for Thaksin.

The survey drew 2,614 responses in 17 provinces including Bangkok from August 25-September 3.

Of the factors that could cause the downfall of the government, 84.1 per cent said corruption, 77.3 per cent street rallies, 76.4 per cent failure to solve problems facing the public, 69.9 per cent failure to keep election campaign promises, 58.2 per cent coming political revenge to harassment, 57.4 per cent failure to stick to good governance, 53.8 per cent amending the Constitution and 53.3 per cent media interference.