Government’s rating increases while PM’s popularity drops: Bangkok Poll

[rooster59]

Government’s rating increases while PM’s popularity drops: Bangkok Poll

 

 

More people are satisfied with the government’s performance in the past three and a half years, but they are less satisfied with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s performance, according to Bangkok Poll.

 

The poll shows that out of a score of ten, government’s performance scored 5.64 points compared to 5.27 registered in the last survey, with performance in foreign affairs being most rated followed by achievements in social and quality of life aspects.

 

Satisfaction for the prime minister received 6.32 out of a score of 10 compared to 7 surveyed six months ago.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/governments-rating-increases-pms-popularity-drops-bangkok-poll/

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-03-04

[PatOngo]

The return of the red shirts? How much did that watch cost or is it borrowed?

[Thechook]

Arrest him, red shirts were banned and his in a group of more than 5.

[Cadbury]

Is it any wonder his popularity is diminishing when he and his elite cronies spend their time poncing around like pretentious idiots dressed as clowns. Can they imagine how they are seen through the eyes of normal people?

 

[Samui Bodoh]

As always, Thai polls need to be taken with a grain of salt... but, I suspect that slowly falling numbers for the Junta/Prayut is an accurate assessment.

 

I would argue that people tolerated the continuation of the Junta until such a time as the Funeral had taken place; it was one of the most important cultural events in modern Thai history. Once the funeral had occurred, the justification for the Junta to continue was lost.

 

Looking at the current political situation in Thailand, I would say that the Junta/Prayut's popularity will only go in one direction, down. No matter which side of the political divide one thinks is correct, Thailand has been voting on a government for a few generations now (yes, not always fairly or legitimately, but...) and Thai people expect that to resume. The questions in my mind are;

 

Will the next parliament (whenever that might be) be able to select a government/PM who is a democratically-elected person?

 

If parliament is unable to select a democratically-elected PM, will the Thai people accept an 'outsider' PM?

 

I think that the Thai people will not accept Prayut staying on in power, so I think that there are troubling times ahead...

 

The numbers 1,9,9,2 just keep rumbling around my head...

 

[Ossy]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Satisfaction for the prime minister received 6.32 out of a score of 10 compared to 7 surveyed six months ago.

Prayut, to the 'People': Love me or hate me, I'm the multi-coloured devil - signal red, today, but don't take that PTPiterally - and I'm coming to get you.     Prayut, to his aide, Botti Wipah: How was I? Was I transparent enough? This crazy bird seems to think I'm the best thing since sliced bread. Tell her to let go of my arm, will you . . . I can't stand that!

[JAG]

A red shirt - he's gone native!

[Eligius]

If this poll was taken solely of Bangkok natives, then I can believe it (the Bangkok 'elite' might more accurately be described as Bangkok fascists); if it was a much wider poll of the Thai people - then it is impossible to believe the relatively good results for Prayut and junta. With all the recent scandals (most notably Watch-man) and the junta's in-your-face refusal to do anything about them, I am sure that both Little Big Man P and his junta are viewed with contempt and disdain by the majority of Thais. That, at least, is now my impression, from speaking to Thais from all walks of life ...

[gunderhill]

4 hours ago, PatOngo said:

The return of the red shirts? How much did that watch cost or is it borrowed?

She's  trying to get it off his  wrist that's  for sure

[debate101]

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

As always, Thai polls need to be taken with a grain of salt... but, I suspect that slowly falling numbers for the Junta/Prayut is an accurate assessment.

The only polling in Thailand is push polling. There's no respect at all for uncovering an objective truth, whatever it may be. The polling agencies start with the result they want and then work from there. In this case, it simply reflects that big P is losing support in some elite circles (but not undemocratic governance, of course).

 

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I would argue that people tolerated the continuation of the Junta until such a time as the Funeral had taken place; it was one of the most important cultural events in modern Thai history. Once the funeral had occurred, the justification for the Junta to continue was lost.

I would argue that there never was any justification for the power seizure. They did it because they wanted to and because they could, and many, many people have been fuming about it for four years but have been too afraid to do anything. The fascist elite has successfully linked support of democracy with anti-monarchism and anti-monarchism with abuse, assault, and lengthy imprisonment.

 

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Looking at the current political situation in Thailand, I would say that the Junta/Prayut's popularity will only go in one direction, down

 

I would say that they were never popular but am afraid that they have extended their tentacles deeply enough into Thai society and power relations over four years to not have to worry about popularity anymore.

 

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Thailand has been voting on a government for a few generations now (yes, not always fairly or legitimately, but...) and Thai people expect that to resume.

Do they? Or have they given up?

 

[worgeordie]

Time for him to give even more money away,there will be

no Election UNTIL they love me as much as Thaksin.

regards worgeordie

[Eligius]

10 minutes ago, debate101 said:

 

 

10 minutes ago, debate101 said:

 

I would argue that there never was any justification for the power seizure. They did it because they wanted to and because they could, and many, many people have been fuming about it for four years but have been too afraid to do anything. The fascist elite has successfully linked support of democracy with anti-monarchism and anti-monarchism with abuse, assault, and lengthy imprisonment.

 

I would say that they were never popular but am afraid that they have extended their tentacles deeply enough into Thai society and power relations over four years to not have to worry about popularity anymore.

 

Do they? Or have they [the Thai people] given up?

 

I think the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle between what my friend, Samui Bodoh, says and what you, Debate101, very powerfully write (above). I think the Thais are (generally) now sick of the junta, and I do see uprisings coming in the future. The question is: will they be only token gestures (a few  thousand people), insufficient to cut off those junta 'tentacles' of power you refer to, or truly huge, mass demonstrations (in the millions) which will unseat even this junta?

 

It still looks to me as though it will be the first projected scenario (small-scale demonstrations). I still don't sense enough FURY (and it would need to be raging fury) amongst the ordinary Thais for them to take the ultimate and risky step that could free them from their current situation.

 

But as Samui Bodoh reminds us, there were certain events that happened in the 1990s which could essentially repeat themselves. It's hard to call. But it would not surprise me if you are right, Debate101, and the Thai people have largely given up the fight.

 

Only time will tell.

[RichardColeman]

1 hour ago, Eligius said:

If this poll was taken solely of Bangkok natives, then I can believe it (the Bangkok 'elite' might more accurately be described as Bangkok fascists);

I kind of think if it was more widespread, then they would be shipping coach loads of supporters of the junta to the area to answer the questionnaire first 

[Eric Loh]

27 minutes ago, debate101 said:

Do they? Or have they given up?

Thailand has consistently maintained a high voters turnout every election much in line with most Asian democratic countries. In fact, Asia voters turnout has been increasing since 1970. Strangely it is the EU countries that see a drop. Thailand high election turnout of an average 65% is a clear indication that Thais desire an elected government. Also most post coup elections have higher than average turnout reflecting the voters strong sentiment and signal to the establishment. Statistic are in public domain if you wish to check that out. 

 

[jayboy]

1 hour ago, Eligius said:

If this poll was taken solely of Bangkok natives, then I can believe it (the Bangkok 'elite' might more accurately be described as Bangkok fascists); if it was a much wider poll of the Thai people - then it is impossible to believe the relatively good results for Prayut and junta. With all the recent scandals (most notably Watch-man) and the junta's in-your-face refusal to do anything about them, I am sure that both Little Big Man P and his junta are viewed with contempt and disdain by the majority of Thais. That, at least, is now my impression, from speaking to Thais from all walks of life ...

With respect, one has to be sceptical about foreigners speaking on behalf of Thais from all walks of life.A harsh truth is that many pundits on this forum are almost by definition unlikely to have the kind of exposure that would make such a claim credible.As it happens I disagree that Prayuth is held in contempt by the majority of Thais.It's true the Junta's popularity may be slipping but it's easy to get too caught up in the narrative being relayed in the English language press.The elite remains very much in control and the urban middle class stays broadly loyal.Of course something unexpected could throw this off course - but it seems to me that opponents of the regime are getting a little too excited on the basis of too little evidence.

[yellowboat]

Little p's shtick is just getting old.   He acts like a frighten child when it comes to debate or scrutiny.  He defends his second in command's love of outlandishly expensive watches fore which there is no plausible explanation as to how they were afforded.   The bike lanes are a disaster.  The Democracy Plaque is still missing.  While human male fertility is at an all time low world wide, soi dogs are reproducing at an all time high.   The junta  likes to take credit for the economy which is in the hands of the Japanese and other foreigners.  The only help they require is for the government to get out of the way.   

[klauskunkel]

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Government’s rating increases while PM’s popularity drops: Bangkok Poll

I will help you out, Uncle Toot:

Just stop your Friday TV monologue droning on and on together with that silly song of yours, and you will have all the popularity you want. One caveat: popularity doesn't cure ineptitude, bet you didn't know that.

[Samui Bodoh]

1 hour ago, debate101 said:

The only polling in Thailand is push polling. There's no respect at all for uncovering an objective truth, whatever it may be. The polling agencies start with the result they want and then work from there. In this case, it simply reflects that big P is losing support in some elite circles (but not undemocratic governance, of course).

 

I would argue that there never was any justification for the power seizure. They did it because they wanted to and because they could, and many, many people have been fuming about it for four years but have been too afraid to do anything. The fascist elite has successfully linked support of democracy with anti-monarchism and anti-monarchism with abuse, assault, and lengthy imprisonment.

 

I would say that they were never popular but am afraid that they have extended their tentacles deeply enough into Thai society and power relations over four years to not have to worry about popularity anymore.

 

Do they? Or have they given up?

 

Interesting post, but one that screams out for a bit of nuance...

 

While I share your suspicions regarding polling in Thailand, I would like to see some evidence that it is all push -polling rather than a question of both fear and/or other factors. I say 'fear' and/or other factors as the defamation laws being what they are, combined with the Computer Crimes Act, would make me nervous about asking the wrong kind of question or even a question that might appear to give an unhealthy answer. I would be quite careful and I suspect people that do polls are equally careful. I think sometimes we foreigners forget that Thais don't have all the rights that we take for granted...

 

Of course there wasn't any justification for seizing of power in your eyes or mine, but (unfortunately) Thailand has a long history of coups. I think that they are wrong, but to many they are simply part of life; while Democracy has put down some roots here, they are shallow and easily torn out. You and I might feel there was no justification, but I remember talking with some friends here in the south at the time of the coup and their comments were along the lines of "what took them so bloody long!".

 

Never popular? Again, I suspect that it depends greatly on where exactly you are. Again, here in the south the coup, at least initially, was quite popular. Remember, they threw out the 'Red shirt' N and NE based people in favour of their own; there was popularity for that action and there remains some popularity today. Have they extended their tentacles into Thai society too deeply to be removed? We'll have to see about that, but my sense is that they haven't yet. To me the clear test is an election; if the current rulers felt that they could achieve some kind of electoral legitimacy, the country would be at the polls tomorrow. The fact that Thailand is not voting tomorrow tells me that they do not believe they have firm control, and I tend to believe them on this point.

 

Have the Thai people given up on Democracy? We'll have to wait a while for a definitive answer, but I don't think so. The roots of Democracy aren't really deep in Thailand, but they are here; people do have direct memory of being asked their views on their rulers and there seems to be some consensus that it is required. Again, I look to the current rulers for some guidance on this issue; if the military thought that they could get away with cancelling elections for good, they'd do it in a heartbeat! The fact that they don't dare tells me that they know it would simply not be accepted. If there had never been elections in Thailand, I doubt that we'd be seeing one any time soon. However, taking something away from people is always regarded as being MUCH worse than not doing it in the first place; elections are here to stay for the immediate and medium term for certain, and I would guess long-term as well.

 

This is an interesting time in Thailand's political development, and I am glad to be here to see it. I truly hope that Thailand develops into a representative democracy based on the rule of law, but societies rarely do that peacefully, quickly or easily.

 

Enjoy your Sunday, all!

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Government’s rating increases

December 2017 - the Prayut government has scored low marks for its economic management and prevailing income inequalities according to NIDA Poll. With a sampling of 1,250 persons nationwide, showed respondents were “most unimpressed” by the government’s performance regarding their economic well-being, followed by political reforms, election preparation and the government’s handling of the deep South unrest. https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1016334-govt-economic-performance-‘most-unimpressive’-poll/?tab=comments#comment-12545617

Suddenly the government's rating increases?

[sawadee1947]

I can remember that some days ago on thaivisa I read that about more than 65% won't vote for him......and his govt.

[holy cow cm]

Utter BS. The popularity is more like below 40% and his sidekick below 5%

[mommysboy]

2 hours ago, jayboy said:

With respect, one has to be sceptical about foreigners speaking on behalf of Thais from all walks of life.A harsh truth is that many pundits on this forum are almost by definition unlikely to have the kind of exposure that would make such a claim credible.As it happens I disagree that Prayuth is held in contempt by the majority of Thais.It's true the Junta's popularity may be slipping but it's easy to get too caught up in the narrative being relayed in the English language press.The elite remains very much in control and the urban middle class stays broadly loyal.Of course something unexpected could throw this off course - but it seems to me that opponents of the regime are getting a little too excited on the basis of too little evidence.

There's a lot of truth to what you say but I nevertheless feel you underestimate the general mood amongst the poor.

[Eligius]

26 minutes ago, mommysboy said:

There's a lot of truth to what you say [about the Thai middle class largely accepting the junta] but I nevertheless feel you underestimate the general mood amongst the poor.

My impression is that the poor(er) Thais don't at all like Prayut and his junta - but are for the most part not (yet) willing to risk life and limb to oppose it. 

 

I was talking this morning to a 38-year-old Isaan driver who said that he dislikes this military government and most of his friends in Isaan do, but that they can do nothing because if they stand up to fight, the military will just shoot them.

 

I have heard this time and time again from Thai opponents of the junta/ militarists: they strongly dislike the militarist regime, but are scared of getting slaughtered if they oppose it openly on the streets.. This is totally understandable - but the English (and others), of course, could have adopted the same attitude towards fascism in World War II and not fought; they could have accepted all that fascism wanted to impose  - for fear of otherwise being shot. Not that I am equating the current Thai regime with what arose in WWII.

 

Perhaps there comes a time, however, in every nation's history when the people have to decide whether being subjected to autocratic rule (with no discernible end in sight) is acceptable (for them and their children and children's children), or whether a point is finally reached where enough is enough and an all-out opposition has to be mounted in the millions (at the real risk of masses of casualites) ...

 

It is for the Thais to decide. It is a dreadful situation that they are in. I really pity their plight. I don't see them making that second, radical choice (as yet).  But we should always remember the inspiring words of (amazingly!) the militarists' own Constitution: 

 

'Sovereignty belongs to the Thai people'.

 

 

 

 

[mommysboy]

1 minute ago, Eligius said:

My impression is that the poor(er) Thais don't at all like Prayut and his junta - but are for the most part not (yet) willing to risk life and limb to oppose it. 

 

I was talking this morning to a 38-year-old Isaan driver who said that he dislikes this military government and most of his friends in Isaan do, but that they can do nothing because if they stand up to fight, the military will just shoot them.

 

I have heard this time and time again from Thai opponents of the junta/ militarists: they strongly dislike the militarist regime, but are scared of getting slaughtered if they oppose it openly on the streets.. This is totally understandable - but the English (and others), of course, could have adopted the same attitude towards fascism in World War II and not fought; they could have accepted all that fascism wanted to impose  - for fear of otherwise being shot. 

 

Perhaps there comes a time in every nation's history when the people have to decide whether being subjected to a tyranny (with no discernible end in sight) is acceptable (for them and their children and children's children), or whether a point is finally reached where enough is enough and an all-out opposition has to be mounted in the millions (at the real risk of masses of casualites) ...

 

It is for the Thais to decide. It is a dreadful situation that they are in. I really pity their plight. I don't see them making that second, radical choice (as yet).  But we should always remember the inspiring words of (amazingly!) the militarists' own Constitution: 

 

'Sovereignty belongs to the Thai people'.

 

 

There is a paradox. He who must be obeyed has brought stability and relative peace to the country, but, predictably, the poor are paying.  I think the populace is confused as to what to do.  I don't think anybody wants another round of strife, but inevitably they will not live with a falling standard of living.  When ministers are clearly caught in corrupt activities and appear immune from the normal consequences, then people react angrily, so that could be a problem over coming months.

[jayboy]

45 minutes ago, mommysboy said:

There's a lot of truth to what you say but I nevertheless feel you underestimate the general mood amongst the poor.

 

20 minutes ago, Eligius said:

My impression is that the poor(er) Thais don't at all like Prayut and his junta - but are for the most part not (yet) willing to risk life and limb to oppose it. 

 

I was talking this morning to a 38-year-old Isaan driver who said that he dislikes this military government and most of his friends in Isaan do, but that they can do nothing because if they stand up to fight, the military will just shoot them.

 

I have heard this time and time again from Thai opponents of the junta/ militarists: they strongly dislike the militarist regime, but are scared of getting slaughtered if they oppose it openly on the streets.. This is totally understandable - but the English (and others), of course, could have adopted the same attitude towards fascism in World War II and not fought; they could have accepted all that fascism wanted to impose  - for fear of otherwise being shot. 

 

Perhaps there comes a time in every nation's history when the people have to decide whether being subjected to a tyranny (with no discernible end in sight) is acceptable (for them and their children and children's children), or whether a point is finally reached where enough is enough and an all-out opposition has to be mounted in the millions (at the real risk of masses of casualites) ...

 

It is for the Thais to decide. It is a dreadful situation that they are in. I really pity their plight. I don't see them making that second, radical choice (as yet).  But we should always remember the inspiring words of (amazingly!) the militarists' own Constitution: 

 

'Sovereignty belongs to the Thai people'.

 

 

Thais have of course come out and risked their lives in the past.However the poor have never been in the vanguard of the democracy movement which has been almost entirely middle class.Since the 1970's Thailand has become greatly more prosperous and I am not sure the poor (now a much smaller section of society) are the political force of previous days.The students great days are behind them.It's also worth pointing out that even now Thailand is not by any description a fascist state and there is lively political debate even if subterranean now.The ruling elite is split and the press is fairly free.Above all social media is very lively.Thailand is not unfree - just partly so and not much different from many other countries in the region.The deference culture is weaker but still exists and will not expire easily.I suspect going forward we will continue to see an authoritarian series of governments but maybe more focused on the needs of the majority.In some ways perhaps like a benign version of the China pact whereby an elite (ok a trillion times smarter than the grisly mob here) retains power in return for guaranteeing progress/prosperity to the majority.Same old Sino Thai tycoons will rule the business roost.Rice farming will continue to decline.Isaan will get much richer.More migration and mixing up.Nobody will get killed.Shawn Crispin will continue to write crap.The world will continue to be indifferent.

[Eligius]

4 minutes ago, jayboy said:

 

Thailand is not unfree - just partly so 

Try telling that to students and others who are dragged off to be 'attitude adjusted' for daring to express views they should have every right to express. Try telling that to academics who have had to flee their native land of Thailand because they dared to express a contrary viewpoint to that of the junta.

 

Also, you cannot sensibly speak of Thailand's being 'partly unfree': political freedom is indivisible - you either have it, or you don't.

 

Current Thailand does NOT have political freedom and basic civil rights in any meaningful sense. That is pretty  blatant, I should have thought  - and every major international Human Rights organisation in the world would likely confirm and condemn that lack of political freedom under which the Thais are currently suffering.

[mommysboy]

9 minutes ago, jayboy said:

 

Thais have of course come out and risked their lives in the past.However the poor have never been in the vanguard of the democracy movement which has been almost entirely middle class.Since the 1970's Thailand has become greatly more prosperous and I am not sure the poor (now a much smaller section of society) are the political force of previous days.The students great days are behind them.It's also worth pointing out that even now Thailand is not by any description a fascist state and there is lively political debate even if subterranean now.The ruling elite is split and the press is fairly free.Above all social media is very lively.Thailand is not unfree - just partly so and not much different from many other countries in the region.The deference culture is weaker but still exists and will not expire easily.I suspect going forward we will continue to see an authoritarian series of governments but maybe more focused on the needs of the majority.In some ways perhaps like a benign version of the China pact whereby an elite (ok a trillion times smarter than the grisly mob here) retains power in return for guaranteeing progress/prosperity to the majority.Same old Sino Thai tycoons will rule the business roost.Rice farming will continue to decline.Isaan will get much richer.More migration and mixing up.Nobody will get killed.Shawn Crispin will continue to write crap.The world will continue to be indifferent.

1

Increasing wealth is rather a vague concept, which may in part be true, but the problem throughout the world is cash in the poor man's pocket.  I honestly think most politicians of all nations ignore this rather fundamental problem.

[DM07]

Next stop: government sponsored entertainment and every World Cup- match on free- TV....

[mommysboy]

12 minutes ago, Eligius said:

Try telling that to students and others who are dragged off to be 'attitude adjusted' for daring to express views they should have every right to express. Try telling that to academics who have had to flee their native land of Thailand because they dared to express a contrary viewpoint to that of the junta.

 

Also, you cannot sensibly speak of Thailand's being 'partly unfree': political freedom is indivisible - you either have it, or you don't.

 

Current Thailand does NOT have political freedom and basic civil rights in any meaningful sense. That is pretty  blatant, I should have thought  - and every major international Human Rights organisation in the world would likely confirm and condemn that lack of political freedom under which the Thais are currently suffering.

Whilst I agree, freedom is a slightly more nuanced concept out here.  My impression is that Thais are quite sanguine about rights we take for granted, but will chafe under conditions of relative poverty the same as the rest of us.  It's really the extent to which their lives become less enjoyable.

[Eligius]

7 minutes ago, mommysboy said:

Whilst I agree, freedom is a slightly more nuanced concept out here.  My impression is that Thais are quite sanguine about rights we take for granted, but will chafe under conditions of relative poverty the same as the rest of us.  It's really the extent to which their lives become less enjoyable.

Very good point. And we have to remember that in 2010 it was largely the poor(er) Thais who came to Bangkok to stand up (and indeed lost their lives - to the number of 90+) to the Thai faux-elite. Resistance to non-freedom is not merely a middle-class phenomenon (although it can be that too - witness student opposition in Thailand's political history): it concerns a much broader swathe of the Thai population.