Deferral of debate wins wide support

Some 75 to 92 per cent of total respondents in the two polls said they had never seen details of the four reconciliation bills proposed by teams led by Niyom Worapanya, Samart Kaewmeechai, Natthawut Saikua and General Sonthi Boonyaratglin. 

A total of 66 per cent could see no hope that any of the four bills would help bring about peace; while 89 per cent wanted politicians to solve economic problems and rising prices before passing a reconciliation bill.

Some 80 per cent believed that politicians – and not the people – would benefit from the bills, while 62 per cent believed political polarisation would deepen because of the reconciliation drafts. About 52 per cent believed MPs who misbehaved during the House meeting must apologise to the public, while 40 per cent said they should resign, 7 per cent said they need not do anything, and 80 per cent believed chaos in the House reflected on the integrity of MPs and their uncivilised behaviour.

The Abac poll was conducted among 2,258 respondents from May 25 to June 2 in 17 provinces across the country. 

The Dusit Poll, of 1,134 people on June 1-2 in Bangkok and nearby provinces, revealed that 53.5 per cent were fed up with and had lost faith and hope in their MPs.

The poll found 36 per cent believed the House’s image was gravely tarnished and the House Speaker must exercise drastic action to keep discipline. Nearly 11 per cent believed misbehaving MPs should be punished, while 43 per cent said the rally by the People’s Alliance for Democracy resulted in chaos and tarnished the country’s image. Some 38 per cent wanted protesters to exercise discretion and not use force, while 18 per cent believed protesters obstructed traffic and caused inconvenience to the public. 

Some 71 per cent backed House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont’s move to defer the House meeting on the bills, but 28.5 per cent disapproved of it, reasoning it would delay national reconciliation.