BANGKOK, 19 July 2011 – Thai people want the government to solve narcotic drugs, corruption practices and crime in the society as the very first priorities, according to a report from the National Statistical Office (NSO).
The NSO launched a survey to gather public opinions on social order to be used by government units in policy formation and evaluation in order to make the society a better place for living.
83.3% of the respondents want the government to suppress narcotic drug spread as top priority, followed by corruption and crime at 56.4% and 33% respectively. Other problems are gambling and underground lottery at 25.4% and immoral sexual behaviours at 25.3%.
The respondents also encourage the government to inspect and prevent narcotic drug spread in communities at 62.3%, arrange more public exercise venues at 58.1% and integrate the operation of public sector units to inspect and monitor places prone to narcotic drug spread at 56.9%.
Places that the respondents want authorities to investigate comprise entertainment places at 61.6%, game shops or internet cafés at 53.8%, underground lottery selling and illegal football gambling points at 46%, slums at 30.3%, dormitories and apartments at 23.8% and others.
62.4% of the respondents believe that the government must take stern action in imposing social order while 37.5% are happy with the current operation of the authorities. Nonetheless, only 1% deem the current operation too strict.