Poll : 55% of Bangkokians disagree with police use of tear gas

Written by Writer on Thursday, October 9th, 2008

Poll : 55% of Bangkokians disagree with police use of tear gas

BANGKOK, Oct 9 (TNA) - An opinion survey found 55 per cent of Bangkokians disapproved with the police crackdown on anti-government protesters by firing tear gas at them, billing it as the use of excess force.

The survey was carried out on Wednesday by the Research Institute of Bangkok University among 1,180 people aged over 18 living in the capital.

44.9 per cent of the respondents supported the use of tear gas to clear the protesters led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) near Parliament Tuesday morning, reasoning that tear gas is a conventional practice used by police around the world to disperse crowds.

However, 55.1 per cent disagreed with the use of tear gas, saying police and the government could opt many other safer methods to avoid the clash, such as negotiations, using water hoses, or postponing the planned delivery of state policy.

The poll also indicated, following the Tuesday’s crackdown, that 40.2 per cent of the respondents have less confidence in Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, 26 per cent saying they have no faith in the premier and only 6.6 per cent still trust the former judge-become-premier.

When asked to comment on the resignation of deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, 64.6 per cent supported his decision, but 38.4 per cent blamed him for running away from the problems.

Asked what measures might lead to a solution, 46.8 per cent of respondents suggested that the government should dissolve the House to end the ongoing political turmoil, while 11 per cent believed a coup d’etat could solve the crisis.

Only 4.8 per cent said they did not see a way out of the current situation. (TNA)