People give mixed reactions on the departure of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) which will cease its duties once a new cabinet has been sworn in, according to an opinion survey by National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll. The poll was conducted on May 23-24 on 1,257 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education and occupation throughout the country to compile their opinions on the departure of the NCPO. The respondents gave mixed reactions when asked how they feel about this, with 24.50% saying that they are glad to see the end of the NCPO as it should have gone long ago; 23.79% are indifferent about it; 13.84% would like to thank the NCPO for having taken care of the country during the past five years; 13.29% said the NCPO should continue to exist; 9.55% said they feel old-styled political chaos is returning; 9.07% feel the country's economy is improving; 8.19% feel the country is becoming truly democratic; and,m 5.33% said the country has lost its opportunities for the past five years. On the level of happiness after five years of the NCPO in existence, 44.63% said it has remained unchanged regarding livelihood and the cost of living; 33.73% said their happiness has dropped because of the poor economy, high cost of living, low farm prices, ineffective enforcement of the laws, restriction of rights and freedom and lack of democratic stability; and, 21.64% said their happiness has increased under the NCPO, with no political unrest and the country being in peace and order. Asked about factors which they have not been happy with, 38.82 said of the economic problems; 16.31% said they do not see such factors; 14.00% said of farmers' problems which have been left unsolved; 9.47% the high cost of living; 9.07% the state of being without an elected government; 5.09% the problems over corruption; 2.55% the problems over crime; 1.51% the restriction of freedom of the mass media; 0.95% the lack of order at public places such as beaches and pavements; 2.23% the problems over drugs and others.

Source: Bangkok Post May 26, 2019 03:56 UTC