Almost 50% Thais Don't Agree With Nationalists Campaign

[webfact]

Almost 50% don't agree with nationalists' campaign

By The Nation

Public anxiety has all but overshadowed nationalistic sentiment when it comes to the contentious issue of the Preah Vihear Temple, an opinion poll has showed.

Of 1,059 people surveyed in a Dusit Poll over the past two days, 46.7 per cent stated that they did not agree with the campaign of proclaimed nationalists fighting to maintain Thailand's territorial sovereignty. And 41 per cent of those surveyed said they were worried that the current conflict could snowball into something worse.

The 46.7 per cent who did not agree with the protesters' campaign said they were afraid the issue would further divide Thailand, damage the country's reputation and distract the government from urgent issues deserving real, immediate attention.

Citing patriotism and saying the Preah Vihear issue deserves full government attention, 27.4 per cent of those surveyed agree with the so-called patriots' campaign, while 25.8 per cent were uncertain about agreeing or disagreeing with the protesters.

When asked if they thought the campaign would be "good" or "bad" for Thailand, 37 per cent said "bad" because the issue fuelled political tensions in the country and made them fear there would be new violence. Only 17.7 per cent believed the campaign would have a "good" impact, saying it would prompt all parties to review all the information and issues.

About 24 per cent said there are equally good and bad effects of the campaign, while 20.9 per cent said they were not sure.

Govt 'should try to reason with protesters'

About 64 per cent of the respondents said the government should try to reason with the protesters and ask for their cooperation to end the protest. Others took a more hard-line approach, with 18.3 per cent calling for strict enforcement of the law against the protesters to avoid charges of double standards and 17.5 per cent wanting the government to deploy troops to maintain law and order at the protesters' rally.

Academics have echoed the majority opinions in the Dusit Poll, saying extreme nationalism could become dangerous.

"What's worrisome is that the so-called nationalists are pushing Thailand toward confrontation with Cambodia and even a war to retake the Preah Vihear Temple," said Puangthong Pawakapan, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University and international relations expert. She said Cambodia might be forced to ask the World Court to re-affirm or clarify its 1962 ruling that declared the temple part of Cambodian territory.

"If that happens, everything points toward a ruling which will favour Cambodia. And when that day comes, Thailand will have no face left on the world stage," she said.

Morakot Meyer, a history lecturer at Srinakharinwirot University, said the issue has been too politicised, depriving Thailand and also Cambodia of a chance to maximise the cultural and even economic values of the temple.

"Now the temple is also used to invoke nationalism. Why can't we for once overlook politics so we can see the cultural and economic potential of the temple?"

-- The Nation 2010-08-09

[dumball]

On the other thread concerning patrionism in regard to Preah Vehear , I did not think too many ordinary people would be concerned , as this new arlicle points out , they are in the majority more about the ramifications that could be brought to the fore-front , not about strong action .

I was , of course , put down by the defenders of the realm , on behalf of the Hi-So's of BKK and of course the masses that occupy Issan , how many Thai do you know that are in any way concerned about what occurs around the block as long as it does not interfer with thier daily lives or income ? As in many countries , not too many .