Fed Up With Politics, Public Shuns Debate On Charter Changes

[Lite Beer]

ABAC SURVEY
Fed up with politics, public shuns debate on charter changes
The Nation on Sunday April 7, 2013 1:00 am

Sarcasm, lack of substance has turned public off, pollster says

Nearly 60 per cent of respondents to a survey by Abac Poll said they did not follow Parliament's first reading of the constitutional amendment bill last week because they were bored with politics.

Abac poll surveyed 2,357 respondents aged 18 and over residing in 17 provinces in the Central region, North, South and Northeast.

Less than half said they watched or listened to the three-day debate broadcast between April 1-3. Only 7 per cent of respondents - self-described political junkies - said they followed the debate extensively. Another 26 per cent said they only partly followed the debate, while 59 per cent said they did not follow the debate at all, citing lack of time and boredom with politics.

Asked whether the government side clearly stated its case, 36 per cent of respondents said yes, 30 per cent said the government's performance was "acceptable", 23 per cent said the case was not clearly made, and 11 per cent weren't sure.

As for the opposition's performance, 43 per cent said it was clearly made, 29.5 per cent said it was acceptable, slightly over 19 per cent said the opposition did not make a clear case, and close to 9 per cent weren't sure.

Asked to rate the quality of arguments put forth by senators, 24 per cent said they were clearly made, 49 per cent said they were acceptable, and 16 per cent said they were unclear.

Overall, 51 per cent of respondents said the three-day first parliamentary reading was more argument than substantive debate. Some 49 per cent thought the proceedings were equal - part arguing and substantive debate.

Some 46 per cent said they benefited from following the debate, while 16 per cent said they gained very little from the experience.

Abac Poll commented that the heightened sarcasm deployed by politicians during the debate had alienated many people and led to feelings of apathy and a lack of public participation in politics, which the pollster said was not beneficial to democratic development. It urged MPs and senators to concentrate more on substance.

In a related development, the Pheu Thai Party met yesterday and expressed its intention to fully support the move to amend the charter. The party also expressed confidence that it would be able to explain everything to the Constitution Court.

Anusorn Iamsa-ad, Pheu Thai deputy spokesperson, said a petition filed by the so-called Group of 40 senators asking the court to rule on the constitutionality of the amendment move was not a cause for concern. In particular, the senators want the court to weigh the constitutionality of a proposed change to Article 68 that would require that all petitions to the Constitution Court pass through the Office of the Attorney-General first.

"We have no hidden agenda," said Anusorn. If the article is not amended, he said. "The Constitution Court will not be sacred and will end up as a dumpsite for petitions."

Meanwhile, Democrat Party MP Thepthai Senpong warned Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij not to appear too eager to assist the government in its effort to amend the charter.

Nikom must try to maintain his neutrality, as befits one in his position, Thepthai said.

-- The Nation 2013-04-07

[Locationthailand]

As already stated, continuing and ongoing boredom re politics, whilst the country is running rampant in corruption, much of which involves these politicians who wish to change rules for personal benefit, all whilst being immune to prosecution. Smoke and mirrors whilst they openly continue to steal from the public. Circus maximus.

[Bluespunk]

Polls are BS!

[chainarong]

Regardless of whether the polls are B/S, the public in any country are sick of politics, however here in Thailand that is exactly what they want, to push the hidden agenda.

[Bellweather]

Regardless of whether the polls are B/S, the public in any country are sick of politics, however here in Thailand that is exactly what they want, to push the hidden agenda.

Exactly, of course the public are fed up with politicians acting like schoolchildren in the playground but apathy will play into PTP hands

[smutcakes]

Its like the boy who cried wolf. The Dems have bitched and whined about everything and anything for so long now, when they bitch and whine this time people are simply ignoring them.

[Bluespunk]

Its like the boy who cried wolf. The Dems have bitched and whined about everything and anything for so long now, when they bitch and whine this time people are simply ignoring them.

The poll (BS that it is of course) doesn't indicate that people were switched off by the dems but rather by everyone, including the PTP. Dangerous really, who knows what jolly wheeze they will try next when no one is paying too much attention.

[Noistar]

Its like the boy who cried wolf. The Dems have bitched and whined about everything and anything for so long now, when they bitch and whine this time people are simply ignoring them.

This is the bitching and whining about trying to perform the role of an Opposition

This Government treats democracy contemptuously with its refusal to debate its policies. The person holding the title of PM refuses to defend her Government's policies.

Whinge and moan? Is the alternative to allow a Government to govern unchallenged?

Never mind, good excuse for a Red to accuse one side of failure, when the article clearly shows it's 50% of one and half of the other. Mustn't let facts confuse any excuse for an attempt to defend the indefensible

[thaicbr]

Its like the boy who cried wolf. The Dems have bitched and whined about everything and anything for so long now, when they bitch and whine this time people are simply ignoring them.

Or like the boy with his fingers in the pie. PTP have connived and stolen so often the people don't know were to begin to unravel it. So hope they just self implode.

The Dems are actually just doing what an opposition party should do.

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE Q6

Edited April 7, 2013 by thaicbr

[LuckyLew]

Its like the boy who cried wolf. The Dems have bitched and whined about everything and anything for so long now, when they bitch and whine this time people are simply ignoring them.

[LuckyLew]

Its like the boy who cried wolf. The Dems have bitched and whined about everything and anything for so long now, when they bitch and whine this time people are simply ignoring them.

Surely one person cannot be that stupid

Dems crying wolf, Dems are simply trying to keep the PTP honest

Now that is an impossible

Crying wolf .... haha

Like the reds were not crying whining protesting and burning down bangkok

Reds did not really cry wolf, they said "we want new election or we will burn down Bangkok"

[khunken]

Its like the boy who cried wolf. The Dems have bitched and whined about everything and anything for so long now, when they bitch and whine this time people are simply ignoring them.

All this bitching, whining, opposing, commenting, filing cases etc etc is so inconvenient & gets in the way of doing things the PTP way.

Hey, we might miss out on a veggie high-speed train or two. Or putting those nasty CC judges in their rightful place. Or even have the temerity to suggest that 'my way or the highway' is the future with those so pure & honest cabinet ministers & their dear leader.

[smutcakes]

Its like the boy who cried wolf. The Dems have bitched and whined about everything and anything for so long now, when they bitch and whine this time people are simply ignoring them.

Surely one person cannot be that stupid

Dems crying wolf, Dems are simply trying to keep the PTP honest

Now that is an impossible

Crying wolf .... haha

Like the reds were not crying whining protesting and burning down bangkok

Reds did not really cry wolf, they said "we want new election or we will burn down Bangkok"

Whilst my comment was obviously a bit tongue in cheek, i think the bit in bold must also have been tongue in cheek! As if they give a flying fig about honesty, they are just as bent as the PTP.

[55Jay]

"Sarcasm, lack of substance has turned public off, pollster says"

So the public does read ThaiVisa.

[Phatcharanan]

Its like the boy who cried wolf. The Dems have bitched and whined about everything and anything for so long now, when they bitch and whine this time people are simply ignoring them.

Its often referred to in true democracies as 'performing in the role of an opposition.'

Perhaps it's something that you don't believe in.

Edited April 7, 2013 by Phatcharanan