Some 97 per cent of people who responded to an Abac poll said they felt really sad to see Thais not loving each other after the latest clashes between red-shirt protesters and troops and subsequent arson attacks around the country.
The poll, conducted by the Academic Network for Com-munity Happiness Observation and Research at Assumption University (Abac) on 1,185 households in 17 provinces on Friday, was revealed yesterday.
About 83 per cent said damage to the country would also hurt them. Some 99 per cent said they sympathised with people who lost jobs because of the clashes. And 91 per cent said it was not too late for Thais to express love towards others. 96 per cent wanted Thai people of different political perspectives to join hands to help the country reconcile, starting from the coming Visaka Puja Day.
The premier's reconciliation plan was backed by 75 per cent of respondents. - Nation
Subway, Skytrain |to restart today
The subway and Skytrain will resume services in Bangkok today with all stations open to serve commuters from 8am till 8pm, their operators announced yesterday.
The subway will operate on normal timetables tomorrow from 6am till midnight, Bang-kok Metro said yesterday.
The operator of the BTS Skytrain, Bangkok Mass Transit System, said its Sukhumvit and Silom lines would open but Rajdamri station would remain closed today.
Clashes between red-shirt protesters and troops forced both services to be suspended for safety reasons. But with the situation returning to normal, they are set to go again.
BTSC said it would survey BTS stations and tracks, to make sure the service is safe, before reopening to the public.
For information about the BTS contact 0 2617 6000 or 0 2617 7300 extension 1834 - 1844 or visit www.bts.co.th or twitter.com/BTS_SkyTrain.0 - The Nation on Sunday
Curfew lifted in Pattaya on Friday
The curfew in Pattaya was lifted on Friday night by the Centre for Resolution of the Emer-gency Situation (CRES) after security agencies prepared a response plan and said they expected no violence.
The announcement, made at 8.45pm on Friday, took effect immediately.
The curfew in the eastern seaboard province of Chon Buri severely hit tourism in Pattaya, so CRES decided to lift the restriction to boost business. After, Walking Street returned to life again. Partygoers, Thais and foreigners went out to enjoy the nightlife.
But many venues were still closed, as owners were not aware of the news. Security agencies in Pattaya remain on high alert and strict measures are still in force until the situation returns to normal. Check-points were increased from five to 10 and the number of police and security volunteers was also increased to monitor state buildings, service stations and stores.