Give PM a chance to keep working: survey

The Nation

December 7 , 2005 - While political tension is high because of criticism and protests about the style of Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, 56 per cent of respondents to the latest Abac poll still felt the prime minister should to be given a chance to continue his work.

Some 20 per cent said the PM should no longer be allowed to run the country.

Nearly half (45 per cent) said a cabinet reshuffle was needed while 33 per cent opposed it, saying changes would affect the stability of the government.

The poll was conducted by the Assumption and Business Administration College (Abac) in Bangkok and surrounding areas following His Majesty the King’s annual speech on December 4.

Some 53 per cent of the 1,387 correspondents said they want all parties to heed HM the King’s advice seriously.

In his speech, HM the King talked about the need for the prime minister to tolerate criticism, and also talked about the need to promote a sufficiency economy.

Asked what role opposition parties should perform, 47 per cent of respondents said the parties |should participate in solving the problems of the country with the ruling party.

Some 34 per cent said reform and re-thinking was needed among opposition parties, while 40 per cent said they should offer more advice and suggestions to the government.

Those who participated in the poll were very divided over the recent protests by many groups.

Some 42 per cent said the current protests were an understandable part of a democracy at work, though respondents said the disputes must not cause problems to others. Almost as many, or 41 per cent, said they opposed the protests.

Among items that need to be urgently addressed by the government, 38 per cent said the government should stop abusing state-owned media for self-promotion, and politicians should not use government aircraft for private use and should refrain from exercising undue privileges.

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