Thais prefer Emergency Decree to continue in force: poll

An opinion poll released on Sunday shows that 58.49 percent of the respondents do not want revocation of the Emergency Decree for fearing that the situation will be deteriorating and getting harder to control.

Dusit poll was conducted Sept. 9-11, 2010, among a random sample of 2,188 Thai people across the country amid several sabotages which took place recently.

Only 18.87 percent of the respondents say the decree should be lifted since some of them see it will create more conflicts among Thai people.

The security in Bangkok has been tightened following two bombing attacks late last month and intelligence report of more possible sabotages.

Meanwhile, the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has decided that based on its assessment that Bangkok will be the last province the decree will be revoked, Bangkok Post quoted First Army commander Kanit Sapitak as saying.

The government had imposed emergency decree in Bangkok and its vicinity since April 7 in the face of escalating anti-government rally in Bangkok by "Red-shirts" movement before extending to include 23 provinces over all as the situation deteriorated. Although the government revoked the decree in some provinces, the decree remains in effect in Bangkok and other 6 provinces.

The Emergency Decree regulation prohibits any gathering of more than 5 people for the political purpose.

Source: Xinhua