Survey : City-dwellers want honest govt

A Royal Thai Air Force survey reveals Bangkok residents are not sure of the qualities they want in a new, elected civilian government - although honesty topped the list of those who were.

The poll showed general support for last week's coup.

The survey asked people what they wanted to see in a new civilian government. The Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) has promised a swift return to civilian rule.

The Air Force quizzed 1,630 respondents living near its Bangkok base on September 22.

A large chunk - 44 per cent - said it had no idea of the qualifications it wanted in a government, while 23.4 per cent said it wanted "honest" administrators. A "fair" leadership was next on the list with 11.7 per cent. Just 7.1 per cent said it wanted to see a government that concentrated on national development.

The poll asked respondents about the CDRM coup. Almost 60 per cent agreed it would benefit national administration and 58 per cent thought national harmony would be improved.

Thaksin programmes : Not all existing policies to go

Viable policies introduced by the Thaksin government would not be scrapped, military leaders said yesterday.

Rumours that programmes like the Bt30 universal health-care scheme would be abolished were false, a spokesperson for the Council for Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) said yesterday.

Yongyuth Maiyalarb told the public to reject unconfirmed reports and trust only CDRM announcements.

A hotline on (02) 280 2360 had been established for public inquiries, suggestions for social problems and tips on corruption.

He also dismissed rumours the CDRM was planning to scrap two other Thaksin projects - the National Fund for Villages and Urban Communities, and the Small, Medium and Large Fund.