Thailand's political index drops to 3.86 amid border tensions, floods
BANGKOK: Thailand's political index dropped to 3.86 in July, reflecting growing public concerns over a range of issues, including tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border and flooding in the North, Suan Dusit Poll reported on Sunday (Aug 3).
The poll, conducted by Suan Dusit University, revealed that the index — based on 25 indicators — had declined from 4.13 in June, with almost all indicators showing a decrease.
The survey was conducted among 2,171 respondents between 26 and 31 July.
The results showed that only one indicator — the government's disclosure of public information — had improved, rising from 4.11 in June to 4.20 in July.
Two indicators remained unchanged from the previous month:
Overall performance of political parties: 4.20
Overall social situation: 4.08
The top five indicators were:
Opposition performance: 4.36 (down from 5.15 in June)
People's rights and liberties: 4.34 (4.58 in June)
Public education development: 4.33 (4.45 in June)
People's inclusion: 4.31 (4.38 in June)
Overall performance of political parties: 4.20 (unchanged)
Asst Prof Kanyakarn Sathiensukhon of Suan Dusit Poll said several incidents in June had affected public sentiment, including reports of sex scandals involving senior Buddhist monks, the Thai-US trade negotiations, an audio clip of a conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Senate president Hun Sen, Thai-Cambodian border clashes, and flooding in the North.
She noted that the indicator measuring the prime minister's performance fell from 3.97 in June to 3.43 in July — the lowest score so far this year — reflecting growing dissatisfaction with both the government's performance and its communication with the public.
The survey found the top three government achievements were:
42.21%: Sending explanations to the United States regarding border conflicts
40.51%: Providing support to people along the Thai-Cambodian border
17.28%: Implementing the 20-baht flat fare policy for electric railways
The top three performing government politicians were:
44.05%: Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security
29.85%: Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior
26.10%: Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister - The Nation/ANN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
23 minutes ago
- The Star
Philippine, Indian navies begin first joint South China Sea patrols
A crew member stands by INS Delhi, an Indian Navy destroyer armed with BrahMos missiles, docked at Manila port. - AFP MANILA: Indian Navy warships have begun patrolling areas of the disputed South China Sea with their Philippine counterparts for the first time, Manila's military said Monday (Aug 4). The two-day sail includes three Indian vessels and started Sunday, a day ahead of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos' scheduled trip to New Delhi for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Philippines has heightened defence cooperation with a range of allies over the past year after a series of clashes in the contested waterway. Beijing claims nearly the entirety of the South China Sea despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. India's naval vessels arrived in Manila for a port visit late last week. The patrol "started yesterday afternoon, then it's ongoing up to this moment... the activity at the moment is replenishment at sea," Lieutenant Colonel John Paul Salgado told AFP. While in India, Marcos is expected to sign pacts in such fields as law, culture and technology, according to Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq, but all eyes will be on any potential defence agreements. The Philippines has previously purchased BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India, a weapon which has a top speed of 3,450 kilometres (2,140 miles) per hour. India, which has engaged in border clashes with China in the Himalayas, is a member of the Quad, a group that includes fellow democracies the United States, Japan and Australia. Beijing has repeatedly alleged that the four-way partnership, first conceived by late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, was created as a way of containing China. - AFP
The Star
44 minutes ago
- The Star
Asean interim observer group en route to monitor border ceasefire
A team of Asean military attachés have formed an interim monitoring group and will observe that the current ceasefire is observed by the forces of Thailand and Cambodia. - PPP/ANN PHNOM PENH: On August 3, the Asean Military Observer Group (Interim), comprising representatives from Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, led by Colonel Nazlee Abdul Rahim, Malaysia's Defence Attaché to Cambodia, departed from Phnom Penh for Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces. These areas have been affected by recent armed clashes between the Cambodian and Thai militaries. ALSO READ: Two soldiers repatriated The purpose of their mission is to monitor the implementation of a July 28 ceasefire agreement, with the observation period set to last for two full weeks. The participation of Asean member states reflects a collective commitment to ensuring the ceasefire's success and sustainability, with the broader goal of restoring peace, stability, cooperation and development for the people of both countries. The Cambodian defence ministry's Department of International Relations will cooperate with the Asean observer team. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Pope Leo draws one million for final mass at Rome youth jubilee, calls for peace over war
ROME, Aug 4 — Pope Leo XIV presided over a final mass in Rome for over one million young people yesterday, the culmination of a pilgrimage that has drawn Catholics from across the world. 'Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are. Do not settle for less,' Pope Leo told the crowd. The week-long 'Jubilee of Youth'—a highlight of the Jubilee holy year—was an enormous undertaking for the Vatican, with a half a million young pilgrims in Rome for most of the week. On Saturday night, before a twilight vigil led by the pope, organisers said there were 800,000 people in the vast, open-air space on Rome's eastern outskirts, and on Sunday the Vatican said that number had grown to one million. Most of them spent the night in tents, in sleeping bags or on mats in anticipation of Sunday's mass. Among them was New Yorker Christofer Delano, who said he was 'so happy to see Pope Leo' but stunned by the crowds. 'I didn't expect to see all these people. I knew there was going to be a lot of people—I didn't know it was going to be this many,' he told AFP. In his homily, the first US pope and former missionary encouraged the gathered youth to 'spread your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith to everyone you meet!' The Vatican has sought to highlight pilgrims who travelled to Rome from war-torn regions, and Leo said in his Angelus prayer: 'We are closer than ever to young people who suffer the most serious evils which are caused by other human beings.' 'We are with the young people of Gaza. We are with the young people of Ukraine, with those of every land bloodied by war,' said the 69-year-old pontiff. 'My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible, a world of fraternity and friendship where conflicts are not resolved with weapons but with dialogue.' Catholic 'Woodstock' The colourful event was accompanied by music from a choir, and about 450 bishops and 700 priests, all in green robes. A towering cross dominated the massive golden arch covering the stage where the pope led mass. Italian pilgrim Tommaso Benedetti said the pope had passed his 'first test' in the eyes of young people during the youth jubilee. 'We feel quite satisfied. There were many references to peace, which is a theme that is very close to our hearts as young people,' Benedetti told AFP. The young pilgrims—from 146 different countries, according to the Vatican—have filled Rome's streets since Monday, chanting, singing and waving flags of their countries. The festive atmosphere reached a peak Saturday ahead of the vigil presided over by Leo, with Italian broadcaster Rai dubbing it a Catholic 'Woodstock'. Hundreds of thousands camped out at the dusty venue, strumming guitars or singing, as music blasted from the stage where a series of religious bands entertained the crowds. Leo was greeted with deafening screams and applause after his arrival by helicopter and as he toured the grounds in his popemobile, with many people running to catch a better glimpse of the new pope. Roads leading to the Tor Vegata venue, about a 40 minute drive from the centre of Rome, were packed, making Leo's choice of helicopter transportation on both Saturday and Sunday more efficient. At over 500,000 square metres (125 acres), the grounds were the size of around 70 football fields. British student Andy Hewellyn sat in front of a huge video screen—a prime spot, as he could not even see the stage far away. 'I'm so happy to be here, even if I'm a bit far from the pope. I knew what to expect!' he told AFP. 'The main thing is that we're all together.' The youth pilgrimage came about three months after the start of Leo's papacy and 25 years after John Paul II organised the last such youth gathering in Rome. It was announced by Pope Francis during World Youth Day in Lisbon in 2023. The Church planned a series of events for the young pilgrims over the course of the week, including turning the Circus Maximus—where chariot races were held in ancient Rome—into an open-air confessional. — AFP
