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Thais Support Sitting Army Government
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in Thailand are at ease with their temporary government, according to a poll by Suan Dusit University. 42.9 per cent of respondents think the caretaker administration should remain in office.
In April 2006, a general election was held after Thai Love Thais Party - Phak Thai Rak Thai (TRT) leader Thaksin Shinawatra decided to dissolve the House of Representatives. The prime minister faced a series of public demonstrations after the Shinawatra and Dhamapong families sold their combined 49.6 per cent shares in the SHIN telecommunications empire to Singapore's Temasek Holdings, in a transaction estimated at $1.88 billion U.S.
In May 2006, Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled, in an 8-6 decision, that the April general election was unconstitutional. In September, the Thai Armed Forces enacted a military coup. The group declared martial law, suspended the constitution, affirmed their loyalty to the King, and released a statement, which read: "We ask for the cooperation of the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience." Surayud Chulanont was later appointed as the new head of government.
In March, Surayud announced that the election to the House of Representatives would take place either on Dec. 16 or Dec. 22, adding, "We are going to hold the election as promised this year." A referendum on a new Constitution has been tentatively set for September.
On May 12, Surayud declared he would visit the southern areas of Thailand, where Muslim militants have escalated violence against Buddhists recently, saying, "There has been no precedent anywhere in the world where the use of force and violence could lead to solutions of problems. (...) I am convinced we can achieve reconciliation in our country in the future. A peaceful end of problems can only be achieved through negotiations."
Religious conflict has affected Thailand in the past few years. The southern provinces are home to a Muslim minority, while the rest of the country is primarily Buddhist. A series of attacks initiated by southern separatists in early 2004 have resulted in more than 2,000 deaths. Authorities believe organized crime and corruption might also be to blame for the violence.
Polling Data
Should the current caretaker government remain in office?
Yes | 42.9% |
No | 28.4% |
No reply | 28.7% |
Source: Suan Dusit University
Methodology: Interviews with 3,173 Thai adults, conducted in May 2007. No margin of error was provided.