Poll:Majority Thais want to pay respect to PM during Songkran

BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) - A latest survey conducted by Bangkok-based Assumption University showed that the majority of respondents wanted to pay respect to Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra most during the ongoing Songkran or the traditional Thai New Year festival. The so-called ABAC Poll, randomly conducted on 2,007 people, aged above 18, in 17 Thai provinces from April 9-11, found that 30.7 per cent of the total respondents wanted to perform a "rod nam dam hua", or pouring blessing water, on Premier Yingluck’s hands on the occasion of Songkran to display their respects to her. The survey also found that 16.3 per cent of the respondents wanted to perform the similar respect to former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is the leader of the now opposition Democrat Party, followed by 15.8 per cent for ex-prime minister Chuan Leekpai, also a top Democrat, and 10.6 per cent for Thai Privy Council President and Stateman General Prem Tinsulanonda. Asked what they wanted most from the incumbent Thai prime minister, 30.4 per cent of the respondents said they wanted Premier Yingluck to perform her duty well to further develop the national economy, while 27.6 per cent said they wanted her to solve political issues prevailing in the country. Up to 33.4 per cent of the respondents expressed their hope to see Thai politicians ceasing corruption and 21.9 per cent asked them to stop quarreling. (TNA)