People have mixed reactions to the imminent departure of the NCPO, says Nida Poll. (Bangkok Post photo)People have mixed reactions to the departure of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which will end its duties once a new cabinet has been sworn in, according to an opinion survey by the 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 occupations and levels of education throughout the country to compile their opinions on the departure of the NCPO. On the level of happiness in Thailand after five years of NCPO rule, 44.63% said it has remained unchanged regarding their livelihoods 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 law enforcement, restriction of rights and freedoms and lack of democratic stability; and 21.64% said their happiness has increased under the NCPO because it brought peace, order and no political unrest. Asked about factors they have not been happy with, 38.82 cited economic problems; 16.31% said nothing has made them unhappy; 14.00% cited the remaining problems of farmers; 9.47% the high cost of living; 9.07% living without an elected government; 5.09% corruption; 2.55% crime; 1.51% restrictions on freedom of the mass media; 0.95% the lack of order at public places such as beaches and pavements; and 2.23% drugs and other problems.

Source: Bangkok Post May 26, 2019 03:59 UTC