An opinion survey conducted by the Super Poll Research Centre reveals that before the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) came to power, most people were dissatisfied with past elected governments because they were plagued with corruption.
The poll was conducted between Sept 10-23 on 1,194 people of various occupations to find out what they disliked about past elected governments.
A majority - 55.4% - said the past elected governments were corrupt; 44.1% said high-level state officials tried to please the government officials in exchange for personal power and special interests; 41.6% thought the past prime ministers abused their power to benefit their families and close associates; and 39.9% said one of the past governments amended laws to escape punishment.
Asked who they think was to blame for the past coups, 72.5% blamed politicians; 54.9% political factions; 50.3% radical movements intent on sowing division; and 36.5% blamed government officials who did not remain impartial.
Also to blame, said respondents, were corporate financial interests, mass media, and political canvassers.
Asked whether they supported the past coups, only 4.7% did so unconditionally; 58.5% said they did, given the circumstances; and 36.8% said they were totally opposed to the coups.