A majority of people want a mobile cabinet meeting to be held in the three troubled southern border provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, according to the result of an opinion survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll.
The poll was conducted Sept 19-23 on 1,204 people throughout the country to compile their opinions on the government's mobile cabinet meetings. The most recent was held on Sept 19 in Ayutthaya province in the Central Region.
The next mobile cabinet meeting will be held in Ko Samui district of Surat Thani province in the South. The exact date has yet to be set.
Asked where the next mobile cabinet meeting after Samui should take place, a majority - 59.63% - of respondents suggested the three southern border provinces; 32.72% Chiang Mai;26.38% Udon Thani; 17.28% Khon Kaen; and 16.34% Trang.
Most of the respondents voiced support for the recent cabinet meeting in Ayutthaya, with 72.92% saying that it was a good opportunity for the prime minister to get closer to the people; 71.26% said it was a means to motivate local officials; and 64.62% said it was a way of stimulating the local economy.
Asked which direction they think Thai politics will go after seeing Chartthaipattana Party politicians take part in the Ayutthaya cabinet meeting, 67.94% said it was a positive sign of cooperation; 65.45% thought it was an indication that political parties are preparing for an election; and 59.14% believed conflicts and power struggles would continue.