BANGKOK, July 5 – The Thai public want the new government to keep the prices of consumer goods in check, according to a survey by the National Statistical Office (NSO).
The NSO gathered the opinions of 106,620 respondents nationwide on what they want to see quickly accomplished by the government this year.
Some 18.3 per cent of those surveyed said they wanted the new Pheu Thai-led government to hold down the rising costs of consumer products as its top priority, followed by 16.2 per cent of those polled who long to see national reconciliation, while economic improvement and stability placed third at 14.3 per cent, while justice and transparency in society placed 13.4 per cent.
At the other end of the spectrum, what respondents saw as least urgent was tourism promotion at 0.3 per cent, followed by job support for new graduates at 1.1 per cent, technology improvements to compete at international level at 1.7 per cent, resolving the southern insurgency at 1.8 per cent, and garbage disposal problems in smaller towns and villages at 1.8 per cent respectively.
Meanwhile, factors that those surveyed regarded as necessary for the country’s development were education (61.6 per cent), careers (59.8 per cent), economic status (57 per cent), health (41.7 per cent), and housing and infrastructure (33.1 per cent).
Concerning Thailand’s economic development, three-fourths of respondents said the country will be improved economically if more people are employed, while another 75.2 per cent said if their income is higher than their spending.
Some 64 per cent viewed household debts as a factor of concern, while 56.7 per cent considered a highly improved economy was a priority. Only 41.5 per cent viewed their cost of living as appropriate.
In terms of social disparities, the 69 per cent of respondents wanted to see the income gap narrow, 65.8 per cent wanted less poverty, equal access to funds, resources, and government services at 55 per cent, a single standard applied to the public by government at 51.9 per cent, and good welfare to local communities at 48.1 per cent.
Those surveyed were also asked about development of the country’s social harmony. Most respondents said non-violent measures were needed as solutions to conflicts, followed by reduced social disparities at 59.2 per cent, a ‘single standard’ applied to the public by government at 47.7 per cent (instead of providing special service to persons of wealth or influence), social activities to create unity at 39.2 per cent, and the participation of lower-income or lower-social order members of the public in making decisions at 35.3 per cent.
The National Statistical Office also interviewed the public regarding their views on the country’s development on health, education, careers, family life and communities, safety, residence, infrastructure and life satisfaction.
