Poll finds PM polite, but tainted

Written by changthai11 on Monday, September 22nd, 2008

Poll finds PM polite, but tainted

JAKKRIT WAEWKRAIHONG

Bangkok residents have mixed feelings about Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, a recent Abac poll has found.

A little more than 75% of respondents considered the new prime minister a polite and good-natured man.

But 63.7% had suspicions that he may not be above being subservient to the interests of political factions, and cronies, given that he is the brother-in-law of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

However, 56.2% agreed that political tensions had eased since Mr Somchai took office.

The Abac poll also showed that 63% agreed with the idea of “New Politics” proposed by the People’s Alliance for Democracy, which stresses the importance of strengthening the people’s role in political affairs.

Assumption University conducted the poll and questioned 2,716 people in Bangkok and surrounding provinces yesterday.

When asked about the proposed formation of a “national government of unity involving all political parties to help break the political impasse”, 53% found the proposal interesting, although 46% dismissed it.

Respondents also offered a variety of solutions to political problems:

F95% said people should show more camaraderie and compassion towards each other;

F92.5% suggested all conflicting parties be reconciled and tell the public that they will work together for the sake of the country;

F89% called for strict compliance of the law;

F86% wanted to see people of high calibre in the new cabinet.

Senate Speaker Prasobsuk Boondej has encouraged Mr Somchai to convince decent people to join the cabinet.

Mr Prasobsuk stressed that the new government needed a capable finance minister to deal with economic problems facing the country and restore public confidence.

The minister must show that he or she has what it takes to live up to the task of guiding the country’s economy onwards, he said