BANGKOK, 20 April 2014 – A poll was carried out by Suan Dusit between April 17 and 19, surveying 1,374 people throughout the country to gauge their opinions on the current Thai political situation.
More than one half or 55.63% of the respondents thought the political situation had directly caused a halt in the country’s economic growth and a higher cost of living, 26.74% said it caused problems to their travels and their businesses, and 17.63% said it caused people to quarrel and become disunited.
On the question of how to end the ongoing conflict between the Yingluck Shinawatra administration and the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) led by Suthep Thaugsuban, 45.39% said the two groups should hold talks to reach an agreement as soon as possible, 39.17% said the people should stop taking part in political activities and should not support either of the two sides in conflict, while 15.44% said a neutral person acceptable to all is needed to solve the conflict.
Asked whether they thought the current political situation is at a critical level, 80.57% said yes, because of the violence that has occurred that has led to the loss of life and damage to property, 11.35% were uncertain, while 8.08% did not think the situation is critical since the government is still functioning.
Asked who they thought could end the political conflict, 63.98% said all Thai people, 22.42% pointed to the military, and 13.60% mentioned the government and PDRC.
