Bemused Poll Respondents Give 'thumbs Down' To Thaksin Reality Show

[george]

Bemused poll respondents give 'thumbs down' to Thaksin reality show

BANGKOK: -- Over half of the Bangkokians interviewed about a planned 96-hour live broadcast of the prime minister's anti-poverty reality show in the Northeast, declined to comment, while those who did respond were soundly negative, arguing that it will benefit no one, according to a new survey.

An ABAC Poll conducted Friday and Saturday (Jan 13-14), released a day ahead of a special Cabinet meeting in the northerneastern province of Roi Et, scheduled to be broadcast live in a reality programme called "Backstage Show: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra," suggested that the premier might lose more than he gains if the programme is aired.

The prime minister will take a starring role during his five-day stay Roi Et's At Samat district. The programme, to air for 96 hours on the nation's biggest pay-TV channel, ending on Jan 20, is designed to show how the prime minister will tackle problems in the district, and that it would be a model for government agencies working on problems in other areas.

Results of the ABAC Poll of 1,538 respondents in Bangkok metropolitan areas and outlying areas found that 28.8 per cent opposed the show, compared with 20.3 per cent who favour it, and 50.9 per cent refused to comment.

Among those supporting the show, 34.4 per cent believed that it would help boost the prime minister's popularity, while 18.2 per cent thought his political stock would drop further, while 47.4 per cent made no comment.

Over one-third of the respondents -- 36.4 per cent -- thought that the round-the-clock live broadcast would be 'staged,' compared with 29 per cent who believed that it would be natural.

More importantly, 38.2 per cent thought that the reality show would achieve nothing, as none will benefit from it. On the contrary, 32.9 per cent of respondents believed that the prime minister himself is the sole beneficiary, compared with the 25.9 per cent who thought that "the people" would gain from the show.

Commenting on the survey results, ABAC Poll Centre head Dr. Noppadol Kannika of Assumption University, said the results indicated that many Bangkokians still doubt whether the reality show will bring any benefit to society as only 20 per cent of respondents said they would view the show.

Dr. Noppadol suggested that a reality show focusing on corruption crackdown may appeal the public more.

--TNA 2006-01-15

[opothai]

Bemused poll respondents give 'thumbs down' to Thaksin reality show

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Dr. Noppadol suggested that a reality show focusing on corruption crackdown may appeal the public more.

--TNA 2006-01-15

i bet he said that with a smile on his face, good sense of humour.

but as they say 'many a true word spoken in jest' .