Most Bangkok residents agree with ISA: poll

After interviewing 1,017 Bangkok residents on Friday and yesterday, the pollster said 62.38 per cent agreed with the ISA enforcement because they would feel safe and less anxious about the rally, while police would also be able to work more easily. Another 25.12 per cent disagreed, saying it sent a signal that the country was unstable, which could affect the country’s image and confidence, while 12.50 per cent said they felt indifferent because the government and police should be able to control situation as usual.

Another Suan Dusit Poll survey on Friday interviewed 212 police officers who were guarding areas around the Royal Plaza prior to yesterday’s rally led by Pitak Siam leader Boonlert “Seh Ai” Kaewprasit. The poll revealed that 96.23 per cent of the officers were confident they could keep order because they were well-prepared and had enough manpower, while also believing that Thais could negotiate with one another. However, 3.77 per cent weren’t confident because the situation was uncertain, hard to predict and the outcome would depend on the number of demonstrators. 

The police surveyed wanted the protesters to: rally within the law and cooperate with police (41.60 per cent); gather peacefully and non-violently (37.08 per cent); keep calm and patient (16.74 per cent); and not prolong the rally and get on with their lives after the rally ended (4.58 per cent). Police wanted to tell the Thai public to; be confident in their work and follow news carefully (34.29 per cent); and avoid routes to the rally (27.15 per cent).