A majority of people want the enforcement of the death penalty to continue, particularly on rape-murder convicts, according to an opinion survey carried out by the National Institute for Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
The poll was conducted on June 21-22 on 1,251 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country to compile their opinions on whether the death penalty should continue to be in force.
Asked which between the "life sentence" or the "death penalty" should be handed down on those who commit serious crimes, a majority, or 80.50%, of the respondents pointed to the death penalty; 18.86% the life sentence; and, 0.64% were uncertain or had no comment.
To the question on whether or not the death penalty will help push up the people's faith in the Thai justice system, 85.29% said "yes"; 12.07% said "no"; and, 2.64% were uncertain or had no comment.
A majority, or 79.05%, believe the death penalty will lead to a decrease in the crime rate; 15.83% said the crime rate will still be the same; 2.88% said it will even push up the crime rate; and, 2.24% were uncertain or had no comment.
Asked whether the death penalty should continue to be enforced, a large majority, 92.49%, said "yes" and 7.51% said "no". Those who said "no" believe the death penalty will not lead to the reduction of crime and that the life sentence should be a better option.
Asked what type of crime deserves the death penalty, 54.45 mentioned rape-murder; 23.95% pointed to the repetition of serious crimes such as murder and rape; 16.68% premeditated murder; 2.42% drug offences; 0.95% terrorism; 0.86% corruption; and, 0.69% were uncertain or had no comment.
