A majority of people believe the mobile cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in the northeastern provinces of Ubon Ratchathani and Amnat Charoen has a political agenda, saying the government wants to gauge the people's opinions and expand its support base, according to Suan Dusit Poll.
The poll was conducted on July 17-21 on 1,132 people throughout the country to compile their opinions after critics said the meeting has a political agenda.
Asked to comment on this matter, a majority, 61.21%, agreed that this cabinet trip has a politcal agenda, reasoning that the government wants to gauge the people's opinions about the forthcoming election and its performances as the political situation has become intense with growing competition; but, 38.79% thought otherwise, saying that the government only wants to get to know more about the people as it is already very powerful.
On a suggestion that this mobile cabinet meeting is intended to poach former MPs to join pro-military parties, most of the respondents, 47.70%, said they are uncertain because they have not seen clear evidence of former MPs being poached; 31.01% agreed, saying that the government wants to expand its support base; and, 21.29% disagreed, reasoning that former MPs can make their own decisions and the government would not be able to poach them within a short period.
Asked whether local politicians should turn up to greet the government, 52.01% said they should not do that in order to stay neutral and avoid attacks; while 47.99% said they should do that because in doing so they can exchange opinions and voice the people's grievances to the government.
