No support for PAD to continue protests

CEOs are split between the choices of a national government and House dissolution, according to a survey by The Nation.

A majority of 18 encouraged the People's Alliance for Democracy to dissolve its protest and go home. Two want the PAD to stay the course until the group's new political paradigm is endorsed. One suggested it end the demonstration and set up its own political party. None supported the PAD continuing at Government House.

Meanwhile most CEOs, 15, want people to remain neutral rather than pick sides between the PAD and People Power Party.

Others suggested  the formation of a national government.

"Individuals should get more politically involved. If they feel the PAD is for them, then they should join it. If they feel a particular political party serves their interest, they should be more engaged in that party.

"The worst an individual can do is sit on the sidelines, especially the educated aged between 20 and 40. It's their future that's at stake, and they should want to have a big say in what kind of political system they want. It's feeble to just say: 'PPP get out'," said one respondent.

He suggested the best way to end the conflict now was for the PAD to leave Government House. Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva won nine votes as favoured prime minister. Some CEOs nominated Democrat Party senior advisor Chuan Leekpai, former deputy prime minister, finance minister and Bank of Thailand Governor Pridiyathorn Devakula; Supr-eme Commander Anupong Paochinda and Korn Chatika-vanij of the Democrat Party.

The survey received responses from 21 CEOs and was conducted from Monday to Friday.