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A clear majority of people agree that Thailand and Cambodia should open talks to settle their latest conflict and oppose any closure of the border checkpoints, Bangkok Poll at Bangkok University reported on Friday.

The pollsters quizzed 1,218 people in Bangkok, Nonthburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakarn on Nov 11 and 12 about the diplomatic dispute, the trip to Cambodia by fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his recent interview with Times Online.

It found that 61.5 per cent of respondents agreed the government should hold talks with Phnom Penh to improve relations, 20.7 per cent wanted the government to impose harsh retaliatory measures to protect the country’s dignity, while 17.8 per cent had no opinion.

Asked about the government’s decision to revoke the memorandum of understanding on the overlapping maritime boundary in the Gulf of Thailand with Cambodia, 41.2 per cent supported the move, while 36.1 per cent disagreed.

On the government’s plan to cut financial support to Camboldia, 41.4 per cent showed approval and 40.4 per cent opposed it.

Bangkok Poll said 55.2 per cent supported the government’s request for Thakin’s extradition, and 29 per cent were against it.

There was strong opposition to closing the border, with 68.6 per cent agreeing it would hurt people kin both countries living along the border. Only 19.8 per cent supported the idea.

Asked about Thaksin’s interview with Times Online in which is deemed to have insulted the monarchy, 44.9 per cent were not sure he actually did, 35.1 per cent believed Thaksin had intentionally criticised the high institution, while 20 per cent said the in-exile politician had no intention to do so.

13/11/09
Bangkok Post