BANGKOK, March 8 – Nearly half of Bangkok residents are pessimistic regarding the future relations between the Pheu Thai-led national government and the administration of newly-reelected Bangkok governor, under the Democrat Party, saying they doubt the prospects for ‘seamless’ cooperation, given their opposite political blocs and opinions, according to an academic survey.
The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) conducted a poll “Will the city administration and government work seamlessly?”, interviewing 1,250 people in Bangkok’s 50 districts earlier this week
Conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday March 5-6, the NIDA poll reports that somewhat over one-third or respondents — 36 per cent — were optimistic that the two parties will manage Bangkok smoothly thanks to their common objectives in developing the capital for the interest of the city’s residents.
Among the pessimists, 33.44 per cent said they believed the government will be the major obstacle for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), while one in five — 19.49 per cent blame the BMA for its failure to reach the grassroots and solve some of the problems. About one in six — 15.37 per cent – accuse the Democrat Party for refusing to admit its mistakes and playing political games with the national government.
A smaller percentage of 12.36 per cent charged the ruling Pheu Thai Party with trying to challenge the Democrat Party and 13.15 per cent blamed both the BMA and the government for indulging in their own interests.
Several leading polls themselves have been criticised for incorrectly predicting the result of last Sunday’s election for the governorship.
