PM Prayut: Economic challenge the biggest test for govt

[webfact]

GOVT'S PERFORMANCE
PM: Economic challenge the biggest test for govt
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION


Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha joins a traditional Thai dance, Kratua Tang Sua, at Government House yesterday. The Culture Ministry brought the dance team to do a demonstration for the premier, who called for the dance and other cultural plays

Survey shows mainly favourable views of NCPO but academic questions representative sample

BANGKOK: -- PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced yesterday that the government had won high marks for overall performance except in the area of economic management.

The latest nationwide survey by the National Statistical Office revealed that 99 per cent of respondents were satisfied with the government's overall performance.

The three top performances for the respondents were prices of lotteries, public welfare and drug suppression.

However, the premier said only 40 per cent of respondents were satisfied when it came to their economic well-being.

Prayut further admitted that that the majority of people are worried about the Kingdom's sluggish economy.

The macro-economic environment has not improved, not only for Thailand but also for some other Asean countries.

Prayut said the Thai economic indicators had improved when compared to those of other Asean countries.

The government will today hold a press conference on its performance over the past year.

Regarding the public's low rating for economic management, Prayut said the government would accelerate key measures to improve the situation and the people's wellbeing.

The survey was conducted from November 27 to December 4, with 7,200 respondents.

The results were presented at yesterday's Cabinet's meeting.

Details of the survey show that people were most satisfied with how the government has maintained order and security in society.

Prayut said he personally was not satisfied with the government's work. "I will be content once all of our work is done and I hand it off to the next government."

According to government spokesmen, the survey covered people aged between 18 and 60 years old, with an average monthly income of Bt10,001 to Bt30,000 per household, and an average education below undergraduate level.

The survey also represents voices from local communities.

In terms of government policies, 98 per cent of respondents were happy with the lottery-price control policy, while almost 97 per cent were satisfied with the anti-drug policy and more than 92 per cent approved of the anti-corruption policy.

About 92 per cent of respondents approved of social welfare policies and 92 per cent also approved of the government's social order management.

The survey also asked people to choose which policies they were most satisfied with.

Some 81 per cent of respondents chose the lottery-price control policy, more than 69 per cent liked policies relating to social welfare, 64 per cent were satisfied with policies to protect national resources, 55 per cent liked anti-drug policies and 55 per cent favoured anti-corruption policies.

Asked what new state policies were most urgent, 53 per cent of respondents said it should control the cost of living, more than 35 per cent favoured agricultural product price improvements, 29 per cent chose drugs and narcotics control, and more than 25 per cent said debt-related issues.

More than 98 per cent of people trusted the government to solve problems at a national level, a government source said.

Meanwhile, Thammasat University political lecturer Attasit Pankaew said the survey reflected people's opinions on specific topics such as the lottery-price control rather than highlighting other issues such as corruption.

"This is in contrast to the government's priority to combat against graft," Attasit said. "It could be also that the Rajbhakti Park scandal was emerging during the time."

The results could also reflect how people in that income bracket prioritised issues, Attasit said, adding that results could differ if collected from middle-income respondents. For instance, the survey respondents did not put corruption as a top priority, according to the poll.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PM-Economic-challenge-the-biggest-test-for-govt-30275483.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-23

[retsdon]

Harold MacMillan's response to a journalist when asked what was most likely to blow governments off course. 'Events, dear boy, events'

El Nino will be Prayuth's event.

[Snig27]

99%? Bless ... even Mugabwe doesn't get figures like that

[Asiantravel]

Prayut said he personally was not satisfied with the government's work. "I will be content once all of our work is done and I hand it off to the next government."

which will be years away

[Lupatria]

With a pool of 1.750 generals to chose from I'm confident there is an overwhelming mass of skilled, yet creative economists, to tackle any occurring economic problem.

[phoenixdoglover]

How the heck did they get the 99% overall rating? It makes no sense given all the other responses.

Ah well, polls in Thailand - the stuff dreams are made of.

[waldroj]

So, while 99% satisfied with "overall" performance, when it came to the question of economic well-being, the rating plunges to 40%.

Talk about creative reporting.

But, that's not all! We are also informed that the economic indicators had improved (when compared to other ASEAN countries). Presumably comparing Thailand to Cambodia, Laos, and Burma.

While where on the subject of "rubbery figures", elsewhere the number of respondents was reported as being 2,700! Just a small thing, but if the 7,200 is wrong then perhaps other numbers are also questionable.

[rubl]

On Channel 3 yesterday I saw the event as depicted in the photo of the OP.

A bit hilarious as PM Prayuth seemed to think he needed to put force in his blows with the stick given him.

[Redline]

But, not a seafood ban by the EU and USA or the possibility of a ban on airlines flying out of lala land?

Destuction

[Srikcir]

"The three top performances for the respondents were prices of lotteries, public welfare and drug suppression."

Essentially low hanging political fruit. Nothing is mentioned with regard to the worst performers that might interest Thai people such as human rights and liberties, reform of justice, reform of the agricultural indusrty, national energy security and protection of the people's sovereignty.

[saakura]

With 99% of the people so happy with this government, the great leader should immediately call for elections and get voted back to shut all the doubters and anti-junta foreign governments.

Edited December 23, 2015 by saakura

[rubl]

"The three top performances for the respondents were prices of lotteries, public welfare and drug suppression."

Essentially low hanging political fruit. Nothing is mentioned with regard to the worst performers that might interest Thai people such as human rights and liberties, reform of justice, reform of the agricultural indusrty, national energy security and protection of the people's sovereignty.

Unfortunately with items like 'slavery', 'fishing industry' and so being condemned for decades without subsequent government doing much more than saying "we are listening and in the process of blablabla", one might get the impression that the Thai public has different priorities.

The farmers are being told to readjust and stop relying on government handouts. Seems a good approach, better than what the previous government did with massive handouts. National Energy security being handled. Protection of peoples sovereignty, being handled as border clashes seem to have minimised.

Anything else?