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PM Paetongtarn Approval Rating Climbs in October 2024 - Opposition ratings drop
Picture courtesy: Prachatai The October 2024 Thai Political Index survey by Suan Dusit Poll reveals notable shifts in political sentiment, with the opposition outperforming others, scoring highest on the index. The survey, conducted with 2,136 individuals between 25th and 30th October 2024, highlighted public approval for the opposition’s achievements while scrutinising government initiatives. The poll attributed the top index score to the opposition's performance, rated at 5.34 out of 10. However, there were mixed results; the government received praise for its flood relief efforts, earning 40.15% approval. In contrast, drug problem-solving and tackling influential individuals scored lowest at 4.58. Paethongtarn Shinawatra stood out as October's leading government figure, with a 52.81% approval, reflecting public support towards the administration. Meanwhile, Nattapong Ruangpanyawut led the opposition at 37.80%. Anutin Charnvirakul and Sirikanya Tansakul also featured prominently in both the government and opposition ranks. Suan Dusit Poll President, Ms. Pornpan Buathong, noted the Prime Minister's consistent popularity rise since the administration's proactive crisis management. Interventions such as vulnerable group aid and flood relief fostered increasing public support. Nevertheless, Ms. Buathong observed the opposition’s overall score had waned lately, especially over the past 10 months, highlighting the need for more assertive government critique. Professor Vallop Hangthaisong commented on the political landscape, seeing October as a traditional period of heightened political activity in Thailand. Under Paethongtarn’s leadership, measures like the Digital Wallet scheme and regional flood assistance have been credited as timely interventions. However, the government partially faced scrutiny linked to the "Icon" case, a controversial matter under investigation for potential involvement of officials in a pyramid scheme. All eyes remain fixed on how these political dynamics unfold, eagerly watching both opposition effectiveness and government crisis response efforts. Going forward, the Thai public will closely monitor both government initiatives and opposition performance to assess ongoing political accountability. -- 2024-11-04 -
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"Organic" fruit at BigC?
I totally get where you’re coming from—finding real organic food can be a bit of a headache. Personally, I’ve had better luck going to farmer’s markets or checking out local stores like Lemon Farm. They’re usually more transparent about where their stuff comes from, and sometimes you can even visit the farms if you’re curious. It just feels more reliable to me, especially since you can actually ask the sellers about their farming practices instead of just relying on labels. -
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Do you drink drive?
Read again when you sober up... though not on your phone while driving ! -
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Kemi Badenoch: New Tory Leader “Labour’s worst nightmare”
As if. Prolly white *conservative* voters worst nightmare though! 'Conservatives' should be prosecuted for false advertising under the Trade Descriptions Act. Wonder how long it'll take for Faarage to out himself as another establishment fraud? -
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Something to help take your mind off the upcoming elections
Ru Paul grew a beard? -
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Do Thais understand sarcasm?
However, while there exists the unifying bond of 'humanity', divergent cultural norms manifest themselves in subtle yet significant ways, such as the reception of sarcasm. In these cultural contexts, sarcasm is often interpreted literally, stripping it of its intended nuance and rendering it unwelcome. -
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Kemi Badenoch: New Tory Leader “Labour’s worst nightmare”
Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, steps into the role with a daunting task ahead. Known as "the worst job in politics," being Leader of the Opposition brings intense scrutiny and an even greater weight of expectations. With only seven months until the May local elections, Badenoch must act quickly to revive a demoralized Tory base, rebuild voter confidence, and halt the party’s downward trend in recent years. However, defining what today’s Conservative Party stands for remains Badenoch’s principal task. She has called for a “reset” in the party’s politics and thinking, a goal that echoes the sentiments of Tory members who saw her as a leader open to listening and shaping policies reflective of the party’s core values. In contrast to Jenrick, whose supporters criticized Badenoch’s campaign as lacking concrete policy details, her willingness to engage and take feedback appears to have resonated strongly with members eager for a fresh start. Although Badenoch won by a margin of around 56% to 44%, she received a strong mandate with nearly 73% voter turnout among party members. However, only one-third of Conservative MPs backed her, which could lead to a challenging divide between parliamentary members and the grassroots. This division highlights the importance of her promises to grant members a more influential role in shaping party policies and selecting candidates, moves that could solidify her support among the volunteers crucial for door-to-door campaigning during elections. Concerns persist within the party about potential shifts in membership numbers, with the Reform Party’s count on the rise and the Conservatives’ dipping just above 131,000. While some of her colleagues view Badenoch’s assertive personality as a potential flaw, Tory members see her tenacity as a strength. They believe she will stand firmly by her convictions, something they doubted about Jenrick, whose policies were seen as appealing but whose image seemed out of touch. Michael Gove’s label of Jenrick as another “Tory boy” reflected a worry among members that he would lack the fortitude to withstand challenges from Farage. Badenoch has already branded herself as “Labour’s worst nightmare,” with her unique background countering claims that the Conservatives harbor prejudice or racism. Despite his criticisms of Badenoch, Farage is likely to recognize that she poses a formidable challenge to his ambitions; of the two candidates, she is the one with the charisma and appeal to keep his party in check. Should Badenoch guide the Conservatives to success in the May elections, it could affirm her leadership as a step toward the party’s resurgence. If these early tests fall short, members might still grant her time to solidify her position by 2026. However, if she cannot deliver progress by then, her future as leader might be at risk before a general election. Both Badenoch and Jenrick described this leadership race as an existential moment for the Conservatives, highlighting the critical juncture at which the party stands. With history on her side, Badenoch embarks on a path that could shape not only her party’s future but also the course of British politics in the years to come. Based on a report by the Daily Telegraph 2024-11-04 -
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Keir Starmer’s Policies Risk Creating a Divided Economy
The recent Budget under Sir Keir Starmer’s administration has intensified concerns about an emerging “two-tier” economy in the UK. As financial markets react to the new policies, a clear disparity has begun to surface between the private and public sectors. The public sector is being shielded from the recent increase in employer National Insurance contributions, with Treasury funds allocated to cover these additional costs. The private sector, however, is left to absorb the full impact, a shift that is likely to affect wages, profits, and job growth. The effects of this approach are particularly worrying for organisations like GP surgeries, care homes, and hospices, which depend heavily on public sector funding but operate independently. These institutions face the prospect of higher costs without any governmental relief. On this issue, the Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, has stated that he is “working through” whether social care will be granted any protection, but until these discussions progress, such organisations are left in an uncertain position. In one example, Paul Stanley of the Gas House Lane GP surgery in Northumberland estimates that his practice will incur an additional £40,000 annually due to the increased National Insurance contributions, forcing difficult decisions about staffing levels. This sentiment is echoed by other leaders who fear that hiring plans and service improvements may need to be scaled back. The government’s response has included tentative offers of financial support in future contracts, particularly for GP practices. Downing Street has suggested that the next GP contract negotiations may include funds to compensate for the tax hike. However, this reliance on temporary exemptions for those closely linked to the public sector highlights a troubling trend: a preference for protecting public sector workers over fostering economic growth and competitiveness in the private sector. Such an approach may also increase market distortions, especially in sectors where private firms and public entities compete for talent. This selective support strategy has raised questions about the government's commitment to economic growth. As it stands, a tax increase that requires significant carve-outs to avoid harming essential services is a tax policy that deserves serious reconsideration. Many critics argue that rather than placing a disproportionate burden on the private sector, the government should be transparent about what level of public services the economy can feasibly sustain without compromising private sector health. By forcing the private sector to bear the brunt of these costs, Starmer’s administration risks stifling the very economic dynamism it seeks to encourage. Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-11-04
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