ID :
134896
Tue, 07/27/2010 - 18:35
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http://m.oananews.org//node/134896
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Thailand's Poll: Bangkok residents support extended emergency decree
BANGKOK, July 27 - A new survey by Thailand's Suan Dusit Poll indicates that nearly half of Bangkok residents support the extension of the emergency decree imposed in Bangkok, following a bomb explosion at a busy bus stop in front of Big C department store in the capital.
The survey was conducted on Monday and Tuesday by the Suan Dusit Rajabhat University Suan Dusit Poll by interviewing 1,304 Bangkok residents about the Sunday bombing near the now-closed department store in the Ratchadamri area.
Almost half of respondents -- 47 per cent -- said they wanted the emergency decree extension in Bangkok for the convenience of the authorities to monitor and prevent violent situations and ill-intentioned people from easily inciting violence, and in order that the public could feel safer.
However, 23 per cent said they oppose it, for they see the decree as being unnecessary if only more police patrols were provided, while some 32 per cent -- one in three -- said the decree would increase divisions in Thai society and promote the image of Thailand being an unsafe country.
Some 29 per cent were uncertain whether the decree should be lifted and said it depended on the government and police officials' estimation on the situation.
Meanwhile, 53 per cent of those polled believed the recent bomb blast was intentionally done to "create a situation" and incite violence, while some 21 per cent said it was outrageous and challenged the power of state.
Of the Suan Dusit respondees, 14 per cent indicated they wanted no more acts of violence to injure and cause the deaths of innocent people. Twelve per cent said the police needed to work harder and more efficiently, to be more strict regarding public safety and security.
About 85 per cent of those surveyed viewed the Sunday bombing as being politically motivated for the overall situation has not fully eased and the area of the incident, still part of Bangkok's main business district, was the UDD Red Shirts' primary protest site only two months ago.
However, one in 10 of the respondents -- 11 per cent -- said they did not know the motivation behind this violence and the public should wait for authorities to conclude their investigation.
Over half -- nearly 57 per cent of those surveyed -- said they did not think police could arrest the wrongdoers, as the authorities have usually not made arrests when such violence took place.
Some 24 per cent said they were uncertain that the police could accomplish their mission.
Concerning the prevention of further violence, about 37 per cent wanted more police and army personnel posted to Bangkok's important spots. Around one fourth asked for more public cooperation in reporting to the authorities when they encountered suspicious situations.
Nearly one in five -- about 18 per cent -- said intelligence agencies must work harder, while 11 per cent said more surveillance cameras should be installed at public areas, and 6 per cent said awards should be offered to those providing clues or information regarding troublemakers. (MCOT online news)
The survey was conducted on Monday and Tuesday by the Suan Dusit Rajabhat University Suan Dusit Poll by interviewing 1,304 Bangkok residents about the Sunday bombing near the now-closed department store in the Ratchadamri area.
Almost half of respondents -- 47 per cent -- said they wanted the emergency decree extension in Bangkok for the convenience of the authorities to monitor and prevent violent situations and ill-intentioned people from easily inciting violence, and in order that the public could feel safer.
However, 23 per cent said they oppose it, for they see the decree as being unnecessary if only more police patrols were provided, while some 32 per cent -- one in three -- said the decree would increase divisions in Thai society and promote the image of Thailand being an unsafe country.
Some 29 per cent were uncertain whether the decree should be lifted and said it depended on the government and police officials' estimation on the situation.
Meanwhile, 53 per cent of those polled believed the recent bomb blast was intentionally done to "create a situation" and incite violence, while some 21 per cent said it was outrageous and challenged the power of state.
Of the Suan Dusit respondees, 14 per cent indicated they wanted no more acts of violence to injure and cause the deaths of innocent people. Twelve per cent said the police needed to work harder and more efficiently, to be more strict regarding public safety and security.
About 85 per cent of those surveyed viewed the Sunday bombing as being politically motivated for the overall situation has not fully eased and the area of the incident, still part of Bangkok's main business district, was the UDD Red Shirts' primary protest site only two months ago.
However, one in 10 of the respondents -- 11 per cent -- said they did not know the motivation behind this violence and the public should wait for authorities to conclude their investigation.
Over half -- nearly 57 per cent of those surveyed -- said they did not think police could arrest the wrongdoers, as the authorities have usually not made arrests when such violence took place.
Some 24 per cent said they were uncertain that the police could accomplish their mission.
Concerning the prevention of further violence, about 37 per cent wanted more police and army personnel posted to Bangkok's important spots. Around one fourth asked for more public cooperation in reporting to the authorities when they encountered suspicious situations.
Nearly one in five -- about 18 per cent -- said intelligence agencies must work harder, while 11 per cent said more surveillance cameras should be installed at public areas, and 6 per cent said awards should be offered to those providing clues or information regarding troublemakers. (MCOT online news)
