Poll: High expectations Abhisit govt will solve economic problems

It interviewed 4,127 people from all walks of life nationwide from December 16-20 about their feelings and expectations with regard to the new administration.

About 46.06 per cent said they were happy and less stressed, 23.58 per cent said the country would be a better place, and some 13 per cent said problems would be tackled, especially economic ones.

However, some 10 per cent said things would be good only in the short term as the problems were long-term ones, and 7.56 per cent hoped that conflict would lessen.

As for expectations, 39.79 per cent thought the new administration would alleviate economic woes while 24.06 per cent thought it would work with honesty and transparency. Some 15 per cent expected to be taken better care of, 11 per cent trusted the Democrat Party's long experience will enable it to work efficiently, and 9.77 per cent said they did not expect anything and things would not get any better.

Some 34 per cent expressed fear that rivals of the administration would stir up social unrest, 31.72 per cent feared that conflicts within the government would stem from coalition parties' jockeying for power, and 14.93 per cent were concerned about fighting over ministerial positions. Some 10 per cent feared work delays due to too close an adherence to principle, and 8.77 per cent feared fighting over benefits, corruption and nepotism, especially among the coalition parties.