Most voters part of a ‘silent majority’, survey shows
DESPITE a general perception that Thailand is deeply divided politically, a survey released yesterday revealed that most people consider themselves part of a silent force |that remains undecided about ideology and has yet to take a political stance.
The Super Poll survey conducted between December 10 and 22 among 1,094 citizens found that 59.1 per cent of Bangkok residents and 57.2 per cent of people living outside the capital saw themselves as members of this silent majority.
About 29 per cent of Bangkok respondents said they supported the current military-led government, compared to 11.7 per cent who said they do not.
Outside the capital, the government had the support of 28.6 per cent of respondents but was disliked by 14.2 per cent.
Another surprise in the survey shattered the supposition that the Pheu Thai Party has little support in Bangkok.
Nearly a third (31.9 per cent) of people in the city said they would vote for Pheu Thai if the election were held that day.
The new, pro-democracy Future Forward Party would get 29.2 per cent of the respondents’ votes in Bangkok, the Democrat Party 27.8 per cent.
Less than 5 per cent of respondents both in and outside Bangkok said they would vote for the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat Party. Other parties split the remaining 9.8 per cent of supporters.
Super Poll director Noppadol Kannika commented that the government must be fair in all situations or risk losing support.
The junta-led government’s support had eroded steadily since it seized power in the midst of political turmoil, he said.
In another poll released yesterday by Suan Dusit, 32.55 per cent of respondents expressed doubt that politics and the economy would improve anytime soon, after more than four years of junta rule, which was supposed to bring about reform in both. Suan Dusit quizzed 1,149 people from December 18-22, asking what they were most curious about regarding the election scheduled for February 24.
The top question asked, by 52.74 per cent of respondents, involved political parties’ policies and their practicality.
Nearly 34 per cent wondered about transparency and poll fraud.
Others had questions – in descending order of interest – about constituency mapping, candidates’ personal details, the possibility of another election delay, electoral |laws and regulations, voting procedures, the selection of the premier, and MPs changing their party affiliations.