Thai kids not interested in growing up to become prime minister, survey finds

The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra among schoolchildren who won an essay contest held to mark Children's Day

BANGKOK: -- Being prime minister - or holding any other political position - is the least desired occupation among Thai children, according to the latest survey ahead of Children's Day.

Only 4.2 per cent of 1,115 children surveyed between Tuesday and Thursday selected "prime minister/politician" as their "dream career when I grow up", according to results of a survey by Bangkok University's Bangkok Poll.

The respondents were children aged six to 14 who live in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces.

The largest group of respondents, 16.6 per cent, picked "doctor" as their dream career. Following this was teacher (14.1 per cent), police officer (11.5 per cent), soldier (11.2 per cent), actor/singer (10.8 per cent), entrepreneur (7.5 per cent), nurse (5.7 per cent), engineer/architect (4.8 per cent) and computer programmer (4.4).

The biggest number of children (45.62 per cent) said they shunned politics as a potential career because they associated it with fuss, conflict and undemocratic activities, Suan Dusit Poll said yesterday. Some 19.35 per cent said they were not interested in politics because they did not like it, because they were bored of it, and because politicians made the country worse and were bad role models for children.

Meanwhile, 25.18 per cent said they were interested in politics because it was important for the country, because they heard political news every day and because politics was taught in their school lessons.

Only 9.85 per cent of respondents said they were "very interested" in politics as they liked it and heard people talking about it, and because their teachers talked about it in classes.

Moreover, 82.33 per cent said they did not find anything satisfying about politics, as it was dominated by disagreements. However, 11.54 per cent were satisfied by the policies of providing free compulsory education and tablet computers.

-- The Nation 2013-01-12

So engine-driving is still Number-1 then ?

I wonder what Yingluck wants to do when she grows up?

So engine-driving is still Number-1 then ?

Actually probably millionaire was No. 1

The respondents were children aged six to 14

Too old to be PM anyway.

At times it would seem the odds of aThai youngster reaching grown up stage is against them, what with pitfalls they face. Then you observe those who have beat the odds vs accidents, illness, drugs, etc and go on to exist as a parasite on others, the line is probably very short for those qualified to be PM.

But then the present PM after navigating the long old hard road, just may have shown her arse enough, that those with drive/intellegence can see why its better to find a position where your only showing your arse, on aone on one scenario.

If it meant listening to me elder brothers instructions 24~7, i wouldn't want it either.

So engine-driving is still Number-1 then ?

Yeah I seem to recall my list as a little 'un

1) Train driver

2) Astronaut

3) Stuntman

4) Spy

5) Lion Tamer

6) Cowboy

7) Junior Minister for Agriculture

88.46 per cent were NOT satisfied by the policies of providing free compulsory education and tablet computers. There is hope yet.

88.46 per cent were NOT satisfied by the policies of providing free compulsory education and tablet computers. There is hope yet.

Does that mean 88.46% haven't got their tablets yet?

Out of the mouths of babes and children!

Maybe they don't want to have someone telling them what to say and do. They get enough of that at school.

So engine-driving is still Number-1 then ?

Actually probably millionaire was No. 1

Good one !

But perhaps substitute billionaire , to allow for inflation ?

There is no need to grow up wanting to be Prime Minister, it is not after all anything that needs long term ambition. After all in a country with the party list system you can be a CEO in name only of a large telecoms company one day and be elected to PM the next having never done a single day in politics in your life! I mean you can be Mr Happy Toilet one day and given a party list seat the next. There is no need for ambition in any sector of Thai politics. Kids, do your primary job for personal motivational purposes first and then when you decide its time to settle down and make some serious coin, get in to politics.

So engine-driving is still Number-1 then ?

Yeah I seem to recall my list as a little 'un

1) Train driver

<snip>

7) Junior Minister for Agriculture

I wonder what Yingluck wants to do when she grows up?

When?

I wonder what Yingluck wants to do when she grows up?

When?

if?

So what did YOU want to be when you were a child?

Americans are taught that any child can grow up to be president.

I never actually believed that.

The respondents were children aged six to 14

Too old to be PM anyway.

I presume you are talking about effective PM.

I wonder what Yingluck wants to do when she grows up?

A political puppet maybe?

So what did YOU want to be when you were a child?

Americans are taught that any child can grow up to be president.

I never actually believed that.

Look at the most recent incumbents in the White House. It seems you should have believed what you were told. ANYONE can be Prez. I'm surprised that Oprah hasn't been nominated with Jerry Springer as a running mate. OOPS! Jerry was born in London therefore disqualified.

So what did YOU want to be when you were a child?

Americans are taught that any child can grow up to be president.

I never actually believed that.

Look at the most recent incumbents in the White House. It seems you should have believed what you were told. ANYONE can be Prez. I'm surprised that Oprah hasn't been nominated with Jerry Springer as a running mate. OOPS! Jerry was born in London therefore disqualified.

Text me when an American Gay Jew is elected president, Kay?

Maybe this would be a good farang pub question. What did you want to be when you were a child, then as older teen, and did it come true?

So what did YOU want to be when you were a child?

Americans are taught that any child can grow up to be president.

I never actually believed that.

Look at the most recent incumbents in the White House. It seems you should have believed what you were told. ANYONE can be Prez. I'm surprised that Oprah hasn't been nominated with Jerry Springer as a running mate. OOPS! Jerry was born in London therefore disqualified.

Text me when an American Gay Jew is elected president, Kay?

Most American Gay Jews are far too busy with important stuff to waste their time on trivial things like internet forums or becoming President.

Possibly don’t want a job as PM because they are making more intelligent and intellectual decisions now at JR primary school and it would be a big step backwards in learning if they would by becoming PM and have to look after a heap of uneducated innate clowns in parliament.

Can we use the ambulance for an emergency Doh.

Please tell me that if the majority do become doctors they will know that when a person collapses they do not have to advise the population of Thailand to seek medical help immediately.

Wait a little.

They will grow up and reach the age segment when majority of Thai youngsters find corruption ok if it benefits them.

A new poll about entering politics may give very different result then.