Traffic congestion has emerged as the public's biggest concern over this Friday's scheduled ruling by the Supreme Court in former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra's trial for failing to stop corruption in her government's rice-pledging scheme.
Fears of a traffic jam in the Chaeng Wattana area, where the court is situated, outweighed anxiety over the possible reaction of her supporters, according to the latest opinion survey by Bangkok Poll.
The Bangkok University pollsters questioned 1,167 people countrywide, and reported that 55.4% of the respondents said what they were "most worried" about if the Supreme Court convicts Ms Yingluck is traffic congestion.
Only 37.9% were worried about a possible rally by thousands of her supporters.
Authorities have also warned there could be inconvenience to traffic in the area.
Traffic near the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, on busy Chaeng Watthana Road, will be closely regulated. Court officials said cars heading to the court will be funnelled through an entrance beside the nearby Administrative Court.
About 4,000 police, supported by 20 riot-control vehicles, will be deployed around the court's compound, according to the government. About 3,000 Yingluck's fans were expected to turn up.
Outside Bangkok, checkpoints will be also set up on some roads to screen travellers and prevent a "third hand" from stirring up disorder.
According to the poll, 74.7% of respondents believed the government will keep the siuation under control for the judgement, and stay within the law, and 52.5% agreed that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha could use Section 44 of the interim charter to strengthen security if necessary.
Ms Yingluck is accused of dereliction of duty in the price-pledging scheme, in which her government "bought" rice from famers at high prices, 40% to 50% above market rates, as a price support solution and to try and control the world market.
It is alleged the then-former prime minister failed to stop alleged irregularities in the scheme that eventually cost the state 500 billion baht.
The pollsters said 38.1% of respondents believed Ms Yingluck is guilty, 19.5% thought the opposite, and 25.9% said they were still uncertain.
