Poll finds 70.6% back stricter use of death penalty
A North Bangkok Poll of 987 people found 70.6% supported stricter use of the death penalty, while 65.6% feared wrongful convictionsw
- A nationwide poll in Thailand found that 70.6% of 987 respondents support stricter and more decisive enforcement of the death penalty.
- The vast majority of those surveyed (96.8%) believe that capital punishment can act as a deterrent to serious crime.
- Despite strong support, the leading concern cited by 65.6% of respondents was the risk of a wrongful conviction and punishing an innocent person.
- Respondents most frequently supported the death penalty for premeditated murder (91.3%) and rape followed by murder (86.8%).
More than seven in 10 respondents to a nationwide survey supported stricter enforcement of the death penalty for serious crimes in Thailand, although wrongful conviction emerged as the leading concern surrounding its use.
North Bangkok Poll, the opinion survey centre at North Bangkok University, surveyed 987 people nationwide on August 6-7 on attitudes towards the use of capital punishment and whether respondents believed it could reduce serious crime.
Asst Prof Dr Sanit Sirivisitkul, head of North Bangkok Poll, reported that 70.6% of respondents agreed with stricter and more decisive enforcement of the death penalty. Another 26.2% disagreed, 1.6% were unsure, 0.8% had no opinion and 0.8% strongly disagreed.
96.8% believe death penalty can deter serious crime
Asked whether capital punishment could reduce serious crime or create a deterrent effect, 60.3% believed it could reduce such crime substantially and another 36.5% thought it could help to some extent.
Together, the two groups accounted for 96.8% of respondents. By comparison, 2.4% believed capital punishment would provide little deterrent effect and 0.8% thought it would have no effect.
When asked which offences they believed should be subject to the death penalty, respondents selected:
- Premeditated or particularly serious murder: 91.3%
- Rape followed by murder or serious sexual crimes: 86.8%
- Homicide: 64.6%
- Serious assault or severe violence: 59.1%
- Drug trafficking or drug-related offences: 58.3%
- Other offences, including political corruption or repeat offending: 6.4%
Wrongful conviction is leading concern
Despite the level of support for capital punishment, 65.6% of respondents identified a wrongful conviction or the punishment of an innocent person as their greatest concern about its enforcement.
A further 24.2% cited concerns involving rights and humanitarian principles, while 10.2% reported no concerns.
The findings placed the accuracy of the justice process alongside support for tougher punishment, with respondents expressing particular concern about errors in cases carrying an irreversible sentence.
Life imprisonment preferred as alternative
When respondents were asked which punishment or measure should replace the death penalty if it were unavailable, 61.7% selected life imprisonment or strict imprisonment.
Another 28.1% said they did not believe any measure could replace capital punishment, while 7.0% preferred stronger crime-prevention and control measures and 3.1% selected rehabilitation or correctional measures for offenders.
The poll therefore recorded majority support among its 987 respondents for stricter use of the death penalty for serious crimes, alongside substantial concern over the possibility of wrongful convictions and the need for an accurate and transparent justice process.
