About 70 per cent of the nearly 1,500 people surveyed in and around Bangkok are following news reports about the anti-Thaksin protests, pollsters found.

The poll was conducted on Friday and Saturday.

Of those surveyed, 76 per cent welcomed a televised debate between Thaksin and Sondhi, while 13.5 per cent opposed the idea and 10.5 per cent had no comment.

Almost 60 per cent of those polled want Thaksin to donate some of his family’s wealth to the public. On average, they suggested he donate about Bt10.5 billion. Just 12 per cent said he should not donate any money, while 28.3 per cent had no comment. Abac Poll director Noppadon Kannika suggested Thaksin should explain the princi?ples that guide him, as the public is becoming suspicious. Members of Thaksin’s family recently sold their stake in Shin Corp for Bt73 billion.

Even if Thaksin donates part of his family’s tax-free windfall to the public it will be difficult for him to dodge criticism, Noppadon said.

“He is on the horns of a dilem?ma. If he donates he will be accused of buying time to shore up his polit?ical position, but if he doesn’t donate, he will continue to be attacked,” the pollster said.

“His only solution to the prob?lem is that he gives a comprehen?sive explanation to the public,” Noppadon said.

He said Thaksin would have to carefully time his explanation. He must explain the legal principles as well as the moral ones that a leader of a country must follow, Noppadon said. The government must also choose its words carefully or it could provoke a backlash, he added.