Government fails Bangkokians 'vote of confidence' after debate: Poll

BANGKOK, July 2 (TNA) – The government of Thai Prime Minister Samak
Sundaravej may have weathered the no-confidence vote in Parliament last week, but the premier's team failed to win a vote of confidence among the public in the capital, according to a recent opinion poll.

The survey was conducted by the Bangkok University using a random sample
of 1,116 persons living in Bangkok metropolis to seek their opinions about
the censure debate and demonstrated that over half did not trust the prime
minister and his team of ministers to administer the country, after they
were targeted in the debates.

The poll revealed that Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama achieved the
highest level of distrust from city residents at 73.1 per cent, followed
by Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung at 71.1 per cent, Transport
Minister Santi Prompat with 64.4 per cent and the prime minister himself
at 62.3 per cent.

The survey also indicated that 43.1 per cent of those surveyed remained in
doubt about whether they had been given the facts on the disputed Preah
Vihear temple issue.

Asked to rate the ministers by rating their performance of their assigned
duties, the people gave the government less than half -- 4.58 out of 10
points, while the Opposition scored 6.71 points, and the Senate 5.62
points.

Queried regarding what the government should do from this point, 29.7 per
cent wanted to see a cabinet reshuffle, 24.2 per cent wanted the
government to continue working, 21.1 per cent wanted parliament to be
dissolved, and 15.1 per cent wanted the prime minister to resign. (TNA)