Price rises top public concern: survey

Of the total respondents, 76 per cent said the government’s national war on drugs agenda was the number one action in terms of meeting public demand, followed by healthcare policy with 67 per cent. And 56 per cent said they liked the government move on constitution amendment.

 

Government policies and measures causing most public dissatisfaction include price rise problems (70 per cent); rising price of fuel (68 per cent); quality of education (66 per cent); Bt300 minimum wage (60.5 per cent); and a Bt15,000 salary for graduates (57 per cent).

 

Respondents were asked what the top five news events were during the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration. Some 54 per cent said the arrest and seizure of Thaksin Shinawatra’s assets; 49 per cent said the delay in appointing a national police chief; 47 per cent said the crackdown on red-shirt leaders; 43 per cent said the policy to sell eggs by the kilogram plus the palm-oil price problem; 40.5 per cent said the price subsidy on rice and other agricultural produce.

 

Asked what they most desired, 89 per cent wanted Thais to love Thais; 81 per cent wanted Thais to be kind to each other; 78 per cent wanted Thais to forgive; 75 per cent wanted Thais to stop quarrelling and 72 per cent wanted public interest put before personal interest.

 

Of the total, 38 per cent wanted Prime Minister Yingluck to serve a full term, 19.5 per cent said they wanted her to serve 2-3 years, 21 per cent 1-2 years, and 7.5 per cent wanted her to serve six months to one year, while 14 per cent said not more than six months from now.