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Thais Split Over Amending the Constitution
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Thailand are divided on whether their recently-implemented body of law should be modified, according to a poll by ABAC. 49.6 per cent of respondents in Bangkok support the government’s plan to amend the constitution, while 46.9 per cent reject it.
After two years of political instability—which included the dissolution of the lower house, a cancelled national election, a military coup, and the enactment of a new constitution—Thailand held a legislative ballot in December 2007. Final results gave the People’s Power Party (PPP) 232 of the 480 seats at stake, followed by the Democratic Party (PP) with 165 mandates. In January 2008, PPP leader Samak Sundaravej became prime minister.
On Apr. 27, People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) coordinator Suriyasai Katasila discussed his views on the issue, saying, "The PAD wants the government to organize a public referendum to determine whether a majority of the people agree with the government. It will also help prevent a coup and abrogate the constitution."
On that same day, Samak suggested that the PAD wants to "create chaos" that would force a new coup, adding, "Let them think again. But I believe it’s difficult because there’s no reason for launching a coup and the country is now at peace."
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose the government’s plan to amend the constitution?
|
Support |
49.6% |
|
Oppose |
46.9% |
Source: Assumption University of Thailand (ABAC)
Methodology: Interviews with 2,625 Thai adults in Bangkok and surrounding areas, conducted in April 2008. Margin of error is 2 per cent.