Most Thais want end to political violence

A total of 94 per cent of those surveyed said they agreed with the campaign, compared to only 6 per cent who disagreed, according to the results of an Assumption University Abac poll.

The survey was conducted on 2,698 eligible voters in 19 provinces in all regions, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Songkhla, between last Monday and Friday.

The survey covered people of all age groups, all levels of education and all regions. Respondents included both supporters and opponents of the government.

They largely agreed that it was time for the feuding parties to end violence and get back together and cooperate, the survey found.

They constituted 93.8 per cent of government supporters surveyed, 94.3 per cent of non-supporters and 94 per cent of people who preferred to stay neutral in the political conflict.

The survey also found that almost 92 per cent of the respondents still believed in the justice system, compared to 6.7 per cent who said they no longer had faith in it.

Noppadon Kannikar, the chief pollster, said the survey results were contrary to the general belief that Thai society was seriously divided.

"The findings showed clearly that there are ways out for the political problems," he said.

The academic said he believed the findings would be encouraging to those seeking to solve the ongoing political conflict.

"It is reassuring to learn that most Thais want to stop violence and |have amicable talks. If Thais |can weather this crisis, we shall be able to live peacefully despite our polar differences in political ideology," he said.

Meanwhile, respected senior citizen Prawase Wasi yesterday called on all parties involved in the ongoing political dispute to end violence by taking part in talks.

"To end the problem, all the parties must help end the violence; |not only the police but also the |military must be involved. All the |parties involved must also take part |in talks. I believe that both feuding sides will agree about more things than expected, such as a desire for |justice and democracy," Prawase |said.

He was giving a special lecture at Mahidol University on the intellectual resolution of worldly problems.