Abac Poll: People Worried More About Economic Problems Than Political Conflicts

[Lite Beer]

ABAC Poll: People worried more about economic problems than political conflicts

BANGKOK, 25 March 2012 (NNT) – A survey finds that the public’s primary concern currently lies with economic problems and high living cost rather than with political conflicts.

According to ABAC Poll director Noppadol Kanikar, the survey was conducted during 20-24 March on 2,245 respondents aged above 18 in Bangkok concerning the issues of the political and economic situation at present. The result shows the proportion of people with faith in Thailand’s democracy to those without it has little difference. Most of the people surveyed also stated that political conflicts are normal in the society.

Half the respondents indicated that they were concerned more about the issues of economy and soaring cost of living whereas only 12.9% expressed greater concern on political conflicts.

The poll listed the problems most faced by the public during the past 12 months as high goods prices, fuel prices, high expense-low income ratio, natural disasters and drugs.

The people under survey also commented that goods prices have become exceptionally high while there are also the problems of goods shortage and low quality of products during the past year. Consumers who have lodged their complaints about the soaring prices with the Commerce Ministry’s Internal Trade Department pointed out that goods prices are still as high as ever.

-- NNT 2012-03-25

[bigbamboo]

Dont tell us, tell the politicians.

[Skywalker69]

The cost of living goes hand in hand with

PTP politics.

[trainman34014]

Most Thai's I know are not interested in day to day politics. The only time they muster is when the 100 Baht bills start flying around along with the red flags. Feeding the family and themselves gets priority on a daily basis. Like Wifey says...'only thing you can do is vote, no chance to do more after so they have to do politics themselves'.

[hellodolly]

No surprise here.

They are raised from the cradle to accept that the government has nothing to do with them.

And they see it in the many broken promises by all the governments.

But they are also raised to need money for food and accommodation with hopefully a little left over and they can see that rapidly disappearing.

Wait until these taxi drivers get there bill and discover that with the added cost of interest the price of there gas is higher than before they used the card.

Just out of curiosity I wonder what the results of the same poll in Issan would be. Sorry about the spelling but you all know what I mean. Guess I could have just said red shirt country.

[geriatrickid]

The cost of living goes hand in hand with

PTP politics.

The cost of living goes hand in hand with PTP politics.

I was unaware that "PTP politics" influenced the cost of energy imports. In case you were unaware, Thailand is a major importer of oil derived energy. As the cost of such resources increases in the market, it has an impact upon energy importers like Thailand. If the cost of energy increases so too does everything related to it.

BTW, despite the small increases in Thailand, the impact is still far less than in the EU, North America and Japan.

[hellodolly]

The cost of living goes hand in hand with

PTP politics.

The cost of living goes hand in hand with PTP politics.

I was unaware that "PTP politics" influenced the cost of energy imports. In case you were unaware, Thailand is a major importer of oil derived energy. As the cost of such resources increases in the market, it has an impact upon energy importers like Thailand. If the cost of energy increases so too does everything related to it.

BTW, despite the small increases in Thailand, the impact is still far less than in the EU, North America and Japan.

Any particular reason you have to justify the rise in price by comparing it t other countries.

A little unsure of your original statement.

[geriatrickid]

The cost of living goes hand in hand with

PTP politics.

The cost of living goes hand in hand with PTP politics.

I was unaware that "PTP politics" influenced the cost of energy imports. In case you were unaware, Thailand is a major importer of oil derived energy. As the cost of such resources increases in the market, it has an impact upon energy importers like Thailand. If the cost of energy increases so too does everything related to it.

BTW, despite the small increases in Thailand, the impact is still far less than in the EU, North America and Japan.

Any particular reason you have to justify the rise in price by comparing it t other countries.

A little unsure of your original statement.

Not at all. Putting the doom and gloom scenarios offered by foreigners in perspective. If anything I wrote was factually incorrect, please advise.

[CalgaryII]

"Half the respondents indicated that they were concerned more about the issues of economy and soaring cost of living whereas only 12.9% expressed greater concern on political conflicts".

Elections have a way of settling political relationships and conflicts. Much more effectively than 'warm and fuzzy' reconciliation stuff. Quick and easy and black-and-white, when there is an electoral majority.

Edited March 26, 2012 by CalgaryII

[tlansford]

I am not sure that I've ever seen a poll where people are more concerned with politics than they are with their own livelihood.

[AleG]

"Half the respondents indicated that they were concerned more about the issues of economy and soaring cost of living whereas only 12.9% expressed greater concern on political conflicts".

Elections have a way of settling political relationships and conflicts. Much more effectively than 'warm and fuzzy' reconciliation stuff. Quick and easy and black-and-white, when there is an electoral majority.

You have absolutely no idea whatsoever what democracy entails.

[geriatrickid]

"Half the respondents indicated that they were concerned more about the issues of economy and soaring cost of living whereas only 12.9% expressed greater concern on political conflicts".

Elections have a way of settling political relationships and conflicts. Much more effectively than 'warm and fuzzy' reconciliation stuff. Quick and easy and black-and-white, when there is an electoral majority.

You have absolutely no idea whatsoever what democracy entails.

I believe that he has a better idea than you do.

[tlansford]

"Half the respondents indicated that they were concerned more about the issues of economy and soaring cost of living whereas only 12.9% expressed greater concern on political conflicts".

Elections have a way of settling political relationships and conflicts. Much more effectively than 'warm and fuzzy' reconciliation stuff. Quick and easy and black-and-white, when there is an electoral majority.

You have absolutely no idea whatsoever what democracy entails.

I'm curious, ... how do you disagree with that statement?

For my part, elections are about choices. People go to the polls and make choices in their society. It really seems to be all about resolving political problems, conflicts, etc....

[volk666]

Right after assuming power PTP embarked on a major energy pricing reform. They started with reducing contributions to the Oil fund and increasing prices for everyone to reward its motorcycle riding supporters whose staple gasoline 95 was made artificially cheaper. That was when global oil price was low, now it's high, local prices naturally go up and the govt has no funds saved for a rainy day to keep prices stable.

All they can do is to keep diesel excise low for another month or so (which eats into govt revenue, too) and subsidize agricultural products used for gasohol production to keep prices high and farmers happy.

There's no overall strategy anymore, just knee jerk reactions.

[AleG]

"Half the respondents indicated that they were concerned more about the issues of economy and soaring cost of living whereas only 12.9% expressed greater concern on political conflicts".

Elections have a way of settling political relationships and conflicts. Much more effectively than 'warm and fuzzy' reconciliation stuff. Quick and easy and black-and-white, when there is an electoral majority.

You have absolutely no idea whatsoever what democracy entails.

I'm curious, ... how do you disagree with that statement?

For my part, elections are about choices. People go to the polls and make choices in their society. It really seems to be all about resolving political problems, conflicts, etc....

Because CalgaryII continuous position is: We won, so shut up

The "Quick and easy and black-and-white, when there is an electoral majority." is an example of tyranny of the (almost) majority.

Claiming that since 48% of these people voted for that party political conflicts are poof! gone is, frankly, stupid. The other 52% plus those that didn't bother to vote will not realign their expectations, demands and alliances to that of the winning party just because of that.

Perhaps you could tell us how you fit the spirit of democratic governance into this idea of, whoever wins (by whichever margin) has the right to do whatever it wishes with complete disregard to the rest of the population and the laws of the land.

The "warm and fuzzy reconciliation stuff" is what draw people towards a common understanding and acceptance of social realities. But who needs that when you can dictate people what to do instead?

[tlansford]

"Half the respondents indicated that they were concerned more about the issues of economy and soaring cost of living whereas only 12.9% expressed greater concern on political conflicts".

Elections have a way of settling political relationships and conflicts. Much more effectively than 'warm and fuzzy' reconciliation stuff. Quick and easy and black-and-white, when there is an electoral majority.

You have absolutely no idea whatsoever what democracy entails.

I'm curious, ... how do you disagree with that statement?

For my part, elections are about choices. People go to the polls and make choices in their society. It really seems to be all about resolving political problems, conflicts, etc....

Because CalgaryII continuous position is: We won, so shut up

The "Quick and easy and black-and-white, when there is an electoral majority." is an example of tyranny of the (almost) majority.

Claiming that since 48% of these people voted for that party political conflicts are poof! gone is, frankly, stupid. The other 52% plus those that didn't bother to vote will not realign their expectations, demands and alliances to that of the winning party just because of that.

Perhaps you could tell us how you fit the spirit of democratic governance into this idea of, whoever wins (by whichever margin) has the right to do whatever it wishes with complete disregard to the rest of the population and the laws of the land.

The "warm and fuzzy reconciliation stuff" is what draw people towards a common understanding and acceptance of social realities. But who needs that when you can dictate people what to do instead?

interesting reply.

I have never seen anyone, including the earlier poster, say "we won, so shut up". Never. Maybe I missed the posts...

Elections are about choices. People are presented with options and they vote on their government. I interpret CalgaryII's statement as pointing out that the last election filled that role whereas the previous administration lacked that clear-cut decision from the electorate.

That all political issues are not gone is self-evident. But the big issue - who will be the elected representatives of the people tasked to deal with governing - is settled... for the time being.

And that certainly had been a political conflict at this time last year.

Regarding your last line :

"Perhaps you could tell us how you fit the spirit of democratic governance into this idea of, whoever wins (by whichever margin) has the right to do whatever it wishes with complete disregard to the rest of the population and the laws of the land."

I don't believe that to be the case. The party(ies) which win and form a government clearly do not have the right to do anything they wish and disregard the laws of the land.

[Skywalker69]

"Half the respondents indicated that they were concerned more about the issues of economy and soaring cost of living whereas only 12.9% expressed greater concern on political conflicts".

Elections have a way of settling political relationships and conflicts. Much more effectively than 'warm and fuzzy' reconciliation stuff. Quick and easy and black-and-white, when there is an electoral majority.

You have absolutely no idea whatsoever what democracy entails.

But Thaksin does?