Prem, Thaksin talks would not help peace, poll finds

The survey was conducted by Assumption University’s Abac Poll among 2,357 people in 17 provinces from March 28 to 31. The respondents were at least 18 years old.
Abac Poll Office director Dr Noppadol Kannikar said the survey was conducted in the context of whether a talk between Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would really bring about reconciliation. The proposal was raised by Chart Thai Pattana chief adviser Sanan Kachornprasart.
Noppadol said the key findings of the survey were:
n73.3 per cent of respondents believe the reconciliation issue is used as a tool to fight for political power, while 26.7 per cent do not believe so.
n65.4 per cent believe the House committee on national reconciliation has contributed to the rifts in the country while 34.6 per cent do not believe so.
n80 per cent believe political groups are always split, while 17.7 per cent see that the ongoing political rifts started after the 2006 coup, and 2.3 per cent do not have any comment.
n61.6 per cent think the ongoing political rifts are normal under the democratic system but 38.4 per cent think the situation is not normal.
n82.4 per cent think the ongoing conflicts should be left to ease under democratic means, while 17.6 per cent think that a coup should be staged to end the conflicts.
n38.3 per cent do not think a talk between Prem and Thaksin would bring about reconciliation while 27.4 per cent believe it would, and 34.3 per cent are not certain.
Noppadol said the survey’s results indicated the Thai political problems have developed beyond the issue of personal conflict, so the talk between Prem and Thaksin would not be able to solve the problems.
He said those involved with finding measures for reconciliation should consider the causes of the problems rather than giving priority to individuals.