Group polls people at rally sites to assess reform demands

[webfact]

Group polls people at rally sites to assess reform demands
BUDSARAKHAM SINLAPALAVAN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- A PARALLEL survey involving ordinary people has provided a similar but more detailed result than the opinions gathered in the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) reform forum, a civic group claimed.

While speakers at the PDRC forum are mainly academics, the Long Khan Kwam Kid Pathiroop Prathet Thai (Brainstorming for Reform in Thailand) gathered people's opinions at different rally sites to see what they really wanted. The group comprises people from different sectors, including academics, businesspeople, employees and students.

Apisada Thongsard, a volunteer with the group, said these surveys were useful because they gathered information at the ground level.

The Long Khan Kwam Kid group has been seeking people's opinions at the PDRC's seven rally sites since January 27 - long before PDRC announced its plan to hold reform forums early this month. The group started off by distributing questionnaires, before conducting surveys to uncover specific problems that people were facing and what changes they wanted, Apisada said. The group also offered to help the PDRC and share the information it has gathered. It is also distributing open-end questionnaires in tandem with the reform forum to gather people's opinions.

"Many people walking by stop to listen, which means they are interested in change. The information we have gathered is not that different from what was gleaned in the forum, except ours is more detailed and addresses direct problems," she said.

For instance, while addressing the topic of poverty and social disparity on March 10, PDRC speakers only touched upon the issue of land ownership in Thailand. In comparison, villagers who were suffering from this problem spoke about it at length to others, including the Long Khan Kwam volunteers.

They explained exactly how they were being prohibited from growing crops in areas that were owned by their ancestors, just because government officials had revised land documents to match the changes in laws.

Apisada said this first-hand information her group had collected was not meant exclusively for the PDRC, but would also be sent to the next government as well as to agencies that are meant to root out corruption.

The group is also planning to hold an exhibition titled "Voice of the Awakened People" to show exactly what reforms people want.

One participant, who only identified herself as Wiphawan, said such surveys were better than the PDRC forum - which limits the number of speakers - because they allow all to speak their mind. Also, she said, not everybody wants to speak in front of the TV camera, citing the fact that PDRC's activities are constantly broadcast on television.


-- The Nation 2014-03-31

[HUAHIN62]

Sorry guys but the PDRC already refused to make land reform part of their reform list. About 2 months ago the student protesters wanted to add land reform to the PDRC's published list of reforms but it was ignored. No supprise as Khun Suthep and his funders are the biggest land owners and don't need that type of reforms (reform that will benefit the poor).

[rickirs]

" the Long Khan Kwam Kid Pathiroop Prathet Thai (Brainstorming for Reform in Thailand) gathered people's opinions at different rally sites to see what they really wanted."

Aren't these rally sites populated by the PDRC supporters? I'd think it would be more meaningful to outside the rally site into the general population like shopping centers, train stations, bus stations, marketplaces for people's opinions. So this group's polls might be slanted, however unintentional, towards a particular political ideology that might not accurately reflect the public's inyterest or support.

[Thai at Heart]

Ohhh this is good

Our biased and rigged poll is more relevant than your biased and rigged poll.

[Thai at Heart]

Sorry guys but the PDRC already refused to make land reform part of their reform list. About 2 months ago the student protesters wanted to add land reform to the PDRC's published list of reforms but it was ignored. No supprise as Khun Suthep and his funders are the biggest land owners and don't need that type of reforms (reform that will benefit the poor).

You think this event is about real selfless reform for the good of the country.

Oooooh, please. Someone stop me laughing. My ribs are going to break.

[Shaunduhpostman]

However seemingly inconsequential or biased, people organizing to take polls is a nice refreshing change from the usual. Some, at very east, constructive steps, a break from the usual groups we hear about with their preoccupation with aggression. How nice that some people go out and ask people what they want. Imagine that? That no one asks may be a significant part of the problem. It's very good for people that they be given an opportunity to reflect on what they want for Thailand, a job well done with just that right there, if you ask me. I hope indeed people actually are being polled and the group is actually serious about doing it.

[Mentors]

Sorry guys but the PDRC already refused to make land reform part of their reform list. About 2 months ago the student protesters wanted to add land reform to the PDRC's published list of reforms but it was ignored. No supprise as Khun Suthep and his funders are the biggest land owners and don't need that type of reforms (reform that will benefit the poor).

.

no one of the Yellow Whistlers and the old guard wants any reform. They want the Shin clan out, thats all.

Abhisit as PM had more than 2,5 year time for reforms. Did he do any? Of course NOT.

Edited March 31, 2014 by Mentors

[Mentors]

Sorry guys but the PDRC already refused to make land reform part of their reform list. About 2 months ago the student protesters wanted to add land reform to the PDRC's published list of reforms but it was ignored. No supprise as Khun Suthep and his funders are the biggest land owners and don't need that type of reforms (reform that will benefit the poor).

.

no one of the Yellow Whistlers and the old guard wants any reform. They want the Shin clan out, thats all.

Abhisit as PM had more than 2,5 year time for reforms. Did he do any? Of course NOT.

Edited March 31, 2014 by Mentors

[3NUMBAS]

sorry guys but they are trying to pull a fast one over the proletariat once again as if they believe they are to dumb to notice

[smutcakes]

THE PDRC leaders wont like ordinary people having proper ideas about reform. (although i notice they also did not elaborate on these reforms- possibly because they have not been told either what they are)

I am sure Suthep and the alike will be extremely keen for the land reforms........

Like factions of the 2010 red shirts starting to smell the coffee with regards TS, are we seeing the first hints that some of the PDRC supporters are starting to question the real motives behind the protests?

[diehard60]

How can any of that help anything when they only pole at protest sites and only pole protesters and NOT FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY?

[diehard60]

However seemingly inconsequential or biased, people organizing to take polls is a nice refreshing change from the usual. Some, at very east, constructive steps, a break from the usual groups we hear about with their preoccupation with aggression. How nice that some people go out and ask people what they want. Imagine that? That no one asks may be a significant part of the problem. It's very good for people that they be given an opportunity to reflect on what they want for Thailand, a job well done with just that right there, if you ask me. I hope indeed people actually are being polled and the group is actually serious about doing it.

Ok you may be right. But why dont they go and ask the whole country? Not just one group of people (PROTESTERS) try other parts of the country.

[Malone]

While speakers at the PDRC forum are mainly academics, the Long Khan Kwam Kid Pathiroop Prathet Thai (Brainstorming for Reform in Thailand) gathered people's opinions at different rally sites to see what they really wanted. The group comprises people from different sectors, including academics, businesspeople, employees and students.

Different sectors? I understood from the postings by the red shirt advocates, it was just elite amart protesting. Guess they were wrong.

[smedly]

Sorry guys but the PDRC already refused to make land reform part of their reform list. About 2 months ago the student protesters wanted to add land reform to the PDRC's published list of reforms but it was ignored. No supprise as Khun Suthep and his funders are the biggest land owners and don't need that type of reforms (reform that will benefit the poor).

there will be nothing off the table - if the people want it then it will be considered

[smedly]

However seemingly inconsequential or biased, people organizing to take polls is a nice refreshing change from the usual. Some, at very east, constructive steps, a break from the usual groups we hear about with their preoccupation with aggression. How nice that some people go out and ask people what they want. Imagine that? That no one asks may be a significant part of the problem. It's very good for people that they be given an opportunity to reflect on what they want for Thailand, a job well done with just that right there, if you ask me. I hope indeed people actually are being polled and the group is actually serious about doing it.

Ok you may be right. But why dont they go and ask the whole country? Not just one group of people (PROTESTERS) try other parts of the country.

They will, this discussion group is not the reform group that will engage the whole country and all of it's people including the reds - that is a long way off, there is much to happen before this thing kicks of properly

[Nickymaster]

Sorry guys but the PDRC already refused to make land reform part of their reform list. About 2 months ago the student protesters wanted to add land reform to the PDRC's published list of reforms but it was ignored. No supprise as Khun Suthep and his funders are the biggest land owners and don't need that type of reforms (reform that will benefit the poor).

.

no one of the Yellow Whistlers and the old guard wants any reform. They want the Shin clan out, thats all.

Abhisit as PM had more than 2,5 year time for reforms. Did he do any? Of course NOT.

Still better than spending your 2.5 years in power trying to whitewash your families' crimes.

Anyhow what's wrong with reform? So you are saying the dems only had one change and that was in 2009 or so?

Edited April 1, 2014 by Nickymaster

[Nickymaster]

How can any of that help anything when they only pole at protest sites and only pole protesters and NOT FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY?

There are more polls available from across the country. Look them up I would say IF you are really interested.