Popular backing Thai coup: survey

Bangkok, Sep 21 (UNI) An overwhelming majority of Thai people support the military takeover of governance, according to a national opinion survey.

The survey conducted by a leading opinion pollster yesterday showed that more than 80 per cent of a cross-section of Thai society approved the September 19 coup led by Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin.

Nearly 3,000 people were quizzed in the Suan Dusit Poll held in Bangkok and upcountry.

Political commentators were surprised by the finding that there was greater support for the takeover in the rural areas where ousted caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is more popular, than in the capital city.

Three-fourths of the respondents believed the coup would mend matters. However, many said it would take time before democracy could be restored.

Civil society groups, a section of academics and media commentators urged the need for speedy restoration of civil rule.

''The Tuesday night coup that deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and suspended the people's Constitution of 1997 is undoubtedly a step backwards. The country now must struggle to overcome one of the greatest setbacks to the 74-year struggle for democracy. Yet most Thais also recognise that the deterioation of the nation over recent months had left no obvious way to advance, and there were few viable options,'' the English language daily Bangkok Post said today.

However, commentators agreed Mr Thaksin had left the country with no choice.

''No person in Thai history has let down the nation like Mr Thaksin. Elected as a new-breed, populist politician in early 2001, Mr Thaksin lived a meteoric political career. He won the greatest vote percentage in Thai history, the first parliamentary majority ever.

Then he proceeded to plunge his country into a divisive, insoluble hell of corruption, intolerance and, above all, cronyism,'' added the Post.

''Democracy is not just about free elections, nor a successful appeal to voters by an attractive party or its leader. Rather, the democratic process is a difficult, daily task of making authorities accountable to voters, and reining in the politicians who abuse the agreed, legal framework. The return of the military coup is a major step backward for Thailand. But without it, the country was never going to move forward,'' it said.

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