Thais Back Government Stance on Singapore

As polls go it is rather basic, with simply one question being dessiminated. Sampling measure used, demographics, weighting...

Methodological concerns - what are they?
January 23, 2007

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Thailand’s capital support the retaliatory measures taken by their new government against Singapore, according to a poll by ABAC. 64 per cent of respondents in Bangkok agree with the administration’s reaction.

In April 2006, a general election was held after prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of the Thai Love Thais Party - Phak Thai Rak Thai (TRT) decided to dissolve the House of Representatives. The prime minister faced a series of public demonstrations after the Shinawatra and Dhamapong families sold their combined 49.6 per cent shares in the SHIN telecommunications empire to Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, in a transaction estimated at $1.88 billion U.S.

The deal—conveniently designed to be tax-free—infuriated many Thais, who accused Thaksin of being greedy and selling out Thai independence to the neighbouring country.

In September 2006, the Thai Armed Forces enacted a military coup as Thaksin was in New York for the United Nations (UN) general assembly. The group declared martial law, suspended the constitution, affirmed their loyalty to the King, and released a statement, which read: "We ask for the cooperation of the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience." Surayud Chulanont was later appointed as the new head of government.

Earlier this month, strained relations turned sour again when Singapore allowed Thaksin to meet with several government officials there and grant interviews to Western media outlets in which he criticized Thailand’s current military junta. The Thai government reacted by blocking access to certain cable channels and websites, and complained publicly to Singapore.

Polling Data

Do you agree or disagree with the government’s reaction against Singapore?

Agree
64%

Disagree
18%



Source: Assumption University of Thailand (ABAC)
Methodology: Interviews with 1,572 Thai adults in Bangkok, conducted on Jan. 16 and Jan. 17, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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