PM at ASEM "uplifts Thailand's image"

Master Poll, commissioned by the Thai Researchers in Community Happiness Association (TRICHA), was conducted on core leaders of 608 communities throughout the country on Oct 17-18 to gauge their opinion on Gen Prayut's role at the 10th ASEM held last week in Italy.

A majority or 70.4% of the respondents said Thailand's image in the eyes of the world community had improved after Gen Prayut's presence at ASEM, 27.2% believed it was as good as before, 2.2% said it was as bad as before, and 0.2% said it had even become worse.

According to the poll, support from community leaders for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and government after PM's ASEM trip had increased to 93.3%, up from 89.0% in early October and 77.2% in late September.

Asked in what fields they wanted Thailand and other ASEM members to jointly invest in, 75.5% of the respondents wanted to see investment on education, 57.5% on technololy, 50.5% on energy, 47.8% on human resources development, 46.5% on health, 42.1% on natural resources and 38.4% on food.

Asked what problems they wanted ASEM member countries to pursue after the meeting, 71.4% mentioned narcotic drugs, 64.6% trade cooperation, 62.7% public health and epidemics, 54.8% transnational crimes, 44.4% human rights, 40.2% human trafficking and migrant labour, 37.6% refugees, 35.4% border disputes and 27.2% cultural exchanges.

Published: 19 Oct 2014 Bangkok Post