Nida poll suggests majority of Thais were 'satisfied' with Preah Vihear Temple verdict

[Lite Beer]

Nida poll suggests majority of Thais were 'satisfied' with Preah Vihear Temple verdict
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- All Thais polled were satisfied with the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s November 11 ruling on the disputed land next to Preah Vihear Temple, a poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) revealed yesterday.

The Nida poll, which interviewed 1,242 people nationwide from November 14-15, said that 57.6 per cent of respondents expressed moderate satisfaction of the verdict. Another 23 per cent said they were not totally satisfied with it. Another 19 per cent were very happy with the court ruling.

Regarding the question as to whether it was acceptable for Thailand to give up sovereignty of the one square kilometre piece of its land around Preah Vihear Temple, over half (57 per cent) of respondents said "no" on the grounds that it was Thailand's territory. However, another 35 per cent said it would be acceptable because they believed it was Cambodia's territory, or because they thought it was only a small plot of land.

The poll also indicated that 78 per cent agreed with the ICJ ruling that Thailand and Cambodia should jointly oversee and protect the Preah Vihear Temple World Heritage Site. Reasons for doing this cited by respondents included helping to prevent border conflict; a strengthening of ties between the two countries; a path to sustainable peace along the Thai-Cambodian border; and a boost in tourism for both sides. However, 16 per cent said an agreement on sharing of benefits between the two countries could lead to fresh problems between the two countries in the future.

Meanwhile, Defence Ministry permanent secretary General Nipat Thonglek urged Thais to stop criticising the ICJ verdict as this could lead to misunderstandings and prolong the spat. He said the government and national security agencies had tried to explain the matter clearly and the Thai military had already confirmed that a troop withdrawal would not take place. Therefore, all sides - including the opposition Democrats - should refrain from arguing over the issue. He urged that the government-assigned team studying the verdict should be allowed time to do so, before conclusions were drawn.

In related news, Phra Viharn National Park's Pha Mor E-Daeng cliff overlooking Cambodia’s territory, which was temporarily closed on November 4 ahead of the ICJ ruling, re-opened yesterday from 8am to 6pm and welcomed many Thai and foreign tourists. The park's head Saksith Polsapsiri said if the border situation remained stable, the park would likely get more visitors to enjoy the cliff's clear night skies and morning fog - covering the two countries' forests below. Many vendors also reportedly set up stalls along Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district road to the cliff

-- The Nation 2013-11-17

[soi41]

The truth is, that most Thais, including the politicians, don't understand the verdict!!

[hellodolly]

Trouble in paradise.

first the Prime Minister says before the verdict she won't accept it now

Meanwhile, Defence Ministry permanent secretary General Nipat Thonglek urged Thais to stop criticising the ICJ verdict as this could lead to misunderstandings and prolong the spat.

The poll was another one of those what do you want for an answer we have people standing by to give that answer.

I would like to know how many Thais actually know any thing about the land and the fact that it was never a problem for the people living on both sides of the line. It was only a problem who would not be inconvenienced by the military firing live ammunition at them. It was a ploy to try to gain power by the Yellow shirts.

[NongKhaiKid]

Yesterday my news text on this subject from the other newspaper was very misleading as it reported 100% of those polled were satisfied but without any breakdown of the figures or use of words like ' moderate satisfaction ' or ' not totally satisfied '.

Anyone unfamiliar with the situation would have wondered what all the fuss is about. Obviously a text has to be short but a little more care would have been welcome especially when I read the article above.

[DocN]

In fact, 30% answered "mai pen rai" and 70% answered " Mai roo"...

[upena]

Citing a poll without showing the question(s) and possible answers is worthless.

[Bluespunk]

"The Nida poll, which interviewed 1,242 people nationwide from November 14-15, said that 57.6 per cent of respondents expressed moderate satisfaction of the verdict. Another 23 per cent said they were not totally satisfied with it. Another 19 per cent were very happy with the court ruling."

Wow, that is stretching the phrase "all Thais polled were satisfied" to its breaking point. Surely not totally satisfied and moderately satisfied equates with not satisfied.

Edited November 17, 2013 by Bluespunk

[Tywais]

Wow, that is stretching the phrase "all Thais polled were satisfied" to its breaking point. Surely not totally satisfied and moderately satisfied equates with not satisfied.

A glass half full-half empty scenario? Depends on your POV.

[hammered]

Interesting considering that the people behind this poll have been on the stage at Democracy Monument and their polls are pretty much now viewed as little better than push polls for Suthep by most Thai people. It is looking like starting a bunch of shelling with Cambodia is off limits.

[Bagwan]

The truth is, that most Thais, including the politicians, don't understand the verdict!!

I suspect that another truth is that most don't give a toss one way or the other. Why anybody would want to travel across the World to see a pile of bricks when they could visit countless magnificent cathedrals, abbeys, castles, chateaux and stately homes in good repair scattered around Europe, any of which are of greater historical interest, escapes me.