Tak Bai case takes heavy toll on Pheu Thai’s image: NIDA Poll
No political party enjoys high backing among deep South voters
The expiration of the Tak Bai massacre case with no one brought to justice was a blot on the Pheu Thai Party’s reputation, according to most residents of the three southern border provinces, an opinion survey found.
The survey was carried out by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA Poll) among 1,067 residents of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala provinces, over 18 years old, from November 5-8.
The statute of limitations in the Tak Bai massacre case expired at the end of 20 years on October 25. None of the 14 defendants in two lawsuits brought by the relatives of victims and public prosecutors could be arrested and brought to court in time.
Asked which party’s image suffered the most from the expiry of the case:
- 55.20%: Pheu Thai
- 29.99%: No party
- 4.69%: Prachachart Party
- 1.97%: Democrat
- 2.16%: Other parties
- 5.99%: No comment
When asked if the outcome of the case would affect their voting decision in the next general election:
- 39.55%: No
- 25.21%: Yes, and a lot
- 23.62%: Will affect decision quite a bit
- 11.62%: Rather unaffected
Asked which parties the residents of the deep South would vote for if elections were held now:
- 50.14%: Still undecided
- 18.85%: People’s Party
- 13.68%: Prachachart
- 5.44%: Democrat
- 4.69%: Pheu Thai
- 2.62%: United Thai Nation Party
- 1.78%: Palang Pracharath Party
- 0.65%: Other parties
- 0.37%: No comment
