Censure Debate Influenced Majority Of Thai Voters, Poll Finds

[webfact]

Censure debate influenced majority of voters, poll finds

By The Nation

More than one in two people said last week's censure debate would impact on how they cast their votes in the elections - and that political animosity would persist regardless of the censure, the Suan Dusit Poll said in a survey released yesterday.

They believed the highlight of last week's censure was that the debate brought up information about corruption and the rising cost of living.

Drawbacks of the debate included the use of foul language and the temperament shown by a number of lawmakers.

A clear majority of almost 68 per cent said the outcome of the censure would not stop fractious politics.

In a related development, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said votes on the censure were cast in a transparent manner. He urged sceptics of the outcome to check with individual legislators before forming hasty judgement.

He was commenting on what many saw as an anomaly because Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai received a poor rating for her rebuttals but got the highest vote of confidence.

Democrat spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said his main coalition party would not target its MP, Somkiart Pongpaiboon, for disciplinary action after he cast a vote of no-confidence in the prime minister.

"Somkiart was just doing his job," he said.

Faction leader Pairoj Suwanchawee said the 3Ps alliance in the Puea Pandin Party had voted to support Porntiva, giving her the highest vote to overcome the censure.

"The votes for Porntiva were attributed to the fact she should not be held accountable alone - since she faced outside pressure and her decisions were made under Cabinet approval," he said.

Pairoj admitted the alliance cast its votes in favour of the Democrats although he dismissed speculation about paving a way for joining the next coalition.

He also revealed Puea Pandin did not vote for ministers from Bhum Jai Thai Party. Chart Thai Pattana chief adviser Banharn Silapa-archa did not lobby for Bhum Jai Thai votes as speculated, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-03-21

[Buchholz]

Drawbacks of the debate included the use of foul language and the temperament shown by a number of lawmakers.

Edited March 21, 2011 by Buchholz

[Thaddeus]

Some days it just doesn't feel worth gnawing through the straps.

[asiawatcher]

Hopefully intelligence (not common sense) will protrude in the Thai public, let them all cast votes and let the country move away from this political turmoil. Allow the existing Government to rule by mandate and then judge results of performance over a full term without stupid protests and time wasting diversions like burning down retail complexes. Time to let the country grow. Stagnation is the cesspool that propagates corruption.

[Bakseedaa]

Hopefully intelligence (not common sense) will protrude in the Thai public, let them all cast votes and let the country move away from this political turmoil. Allow the existing Government to rule by mandate and then judge results of performance over a full term without stupid protests and time wasting diversions like burning down retail complexes. Time to let the country grow. Stagnation is the cesspool that propagates corruption.

Well said, lets hope this is what happens...

[hammered]

Hopefully intelligence (not common sense) will protrude in the Thai public, let them all cast votes and let the country move away from this political turmoil. Allow the existing Government to rule by mandate and then judge results of performance over a full term without stupid protests and time wasting diversions like burning down retail complexes. Time to let the country grow. Stagnation is the cesspool that propagates corruption.

Well said, lets hope this is what happens...

But why do we think it wont be like this

[rubl]

Censure debate influenced majority of voters, poll finds

More than one in two people said last week's censure debate would impact on how they cast their votes in the elections - and that political animosity would persist regardless of the censure, the Suan Dusit Poll said in a survey released yesterday.

In most countries such a censure debate tends to confirm people in their existing opinion. In that sense they are 'influenced' and it 'impacts how they cast a vote'.

What the poll doesn't say is if people have 'changed' their opinion or if they will now vote differently.

Ergo ... does this poll tell us anything useful

Edited March 21, 2011 by rubl

[Thaddeus]

Ergo ... does this poll tell us anything useful

Nope.