People have a generally good image of the Army, he said, but are not always clear about what it's there for. Improved public relations would lead to greater cooperation between the public and the Army.

Abac University's Noppadon Kannika said the poll showed that 92.5 per cent of respondents knew that one of the Army's jobs was to provide security for Their Majesties the King and Queen and the Royal Family, while a further 89.6 per cent said they knew it had to implement royally initiated projects. Almost 89 per cent said they knew the Army was the main agency trying to end the violence in the South.

However, fewer people knew that the Army is responsible for the preparation of a military force and weapons (50.9 per cent); that it helps to crack down on people considered to be a dark influence (61.6 per cent); or that it provides protection from invasion by other nations (64.8 per cent.) The survey was conducted from July 13 to 29 using 3,885 respondents from 25 provinces, Noppadon said.

The poll showed that 44.9 per cent of people in the South and 44.6 per cent of people in the Northeast, fewer than in any other part of the country, realised the responsibility of the Army was to make ready a military force.

Also, fewer people in the South, than in any other region, knew of the Army's role in cracking down on influential crime figures, outlawing dark influences, or promoting international relationships, he said.

"It's interesting that Bangkok residents, who are closer to information than people in other parts of the country, know less than others about the Army's attempts to crackdown on influential people and illegal immigrants," he said.