About four-fifths (81.5 per cent) of people believe lifting martial law in only some provinces is acceptable while about the same number support the work of the Council for National Security (CNS) chairman, Assumption University's Abac Poll revealed yesterday.

But 18 per cent of the 5,192 respondents surveyed from December 1-9 in 18 provinces said the lifting of martial law in only certain provinces was unacceptable as the government had been selective.

Support for the piece-meal lifting of martial law was highest in the Central region, with 88.8 per cent of respondents saying they agreed with it, while the region where it had the least backing was the Northeast, with only 75.6 per cent in favour, the poll found.

Provinces where the poll was conducted included Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Suphan Buri, Ubon Ratchathani, Sa Kaew, Satun and Songkhla.

Although 78.5 per cent of respondents said they would support CNS chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, there was a big regional disparity, with 92.3 per cent in the South backing him but only 67.7 per cent in the Northeast.

Overall, 26.9 per cent of respondents were satisfied with the work of the CNS, 38.1 per cent were rather satisfied, 12.8 per cent were not so satisfied and 10.4 per were not satisfied.

Asked to compare if their

daily lives were affected more by martial law or the movements of groups in society, 59.9 per cent said they were more affected by the movements of groups. However, 9 per cent said martial law affected them more and 31.1 per cent gave no comment.

The Cabinet decided to lift martial law in 41 provinces late last month. However, the decision is subject to endorsement by His Majesty the King.

Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said that of the 35 provinces still under martial law, 20 were located along the borders and already had tough security measures prior to the September 19 coup.

Besides, "subversive movements" remained strong in Chiang Mai, Kamphaeng Phet, Buri Ram and Khon Kaen and required martial law to be continued in these provinces, he said.