BANGKOK, 19 July 2011 – The Department of Mental Health has suggested people to remain calm upon political news as a lot of them are panicking whether the Election Commission (EC) will certify MP status for key members of two big political parties or not.
Mental Health Department Deputy Director-General Medical Doctor Tawee Tungsaeree stated that people should remain calm while they are waiting for the EC’s decision which is not expected until the beginning of August according to the allowed legal timeframe.
A recent survey by the Assumption University Research Centre (ABAC Poll) showed that the majority of the respondents are not happy with the EC’s delay in endorsing key figures of the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties while some of them become obsessed with the political uncertainty and fear for violence.
Meanwhile, a survey by Suan Dusit Poll of Suan Dusit Rajabhat University reported that Bangkok people are under stress because the political situation after the 3 July general election remains unclear, with no concrete changes.
Medical Doctor Tawee suggested that people should be patient and do some other activities instead of focusing their attention on political news via radio and television or political commentators.
Upon concerns that there might be political violence in the future, the deputy director-general advised people to think positively that violence is unlikely regardless of the decision of the EC as things might not turn negative as expected.
