Poll paralysis

re: "Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai announce bid to form govt" (BP, August 7, 2023) & "Manchester United, Buriram top football teams for Thais: poll" (August 6)

Dear editor,

It is true as Pheu Thai leader Dr Cholnan Srikaew says of the shiny new coalition forged with his party's newest best mate forever that "the 212 votes [in parliament that] Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai control were also legitimate people's votes." This remains so even when compared to the far more stunning endorsement of 151 seats given by the nation to Move Forward with its flagship policies for reform. Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai overlook, however, the more pertinent truth now likely. Namely, it might not be true that those who voted for Pheu Thai continue to be happy with the way that they cast their votes last May 14; many might now be wishing that they had instead voted for Move Forward. It would be useful to have some information on one way or the other on what voters think today. 

After the political shenanigans of the last month, it is astounding that NIDA would waste resources to discover which football teams are currently favoured, to which enlightenment we were regaled in last Sunday's Post ("Manchester United, Buriram top football teams for Thais: poll", August 6). Inexplicably, neither Nida nor similar bodies have polled the obviously relevant questions: Are you happy with how the party you voted for has behaved since May 14? Do you still support the same party? If there were a new election tomorrow, for which party would you now vote?

My prediction is that Move Forward has already gained considerably more support than it had already had on May 14. It has stuck with its principled policies that are right for the Thai nation if traditional ways that have for many decades stunted development are to be reformed as needed. It has behaved with honour and transparency. It has listened to them and given its coalition partners a respectful fair go at every step. It has not rolled over to be violated on command as though no principle or policy could be worth the backbone of standing firm on behalf of those who voted for the party and Move Forward's popular raft of policies.  

I would also predict that Pheu Thai's support has suffered a dramatic decline this past fortnight.

Also worth polling would be how the Thai people currently feel about the actions of the unelected senate, which, by making their lame, deceitful excuse the desperate need to protect it from the Thai people's aspirations, would seem to have put a traditionally revered institution in direct conflict with the will of the people. 

These are the polls that matter last month, this month, and likely next month. 

 Felix Qui 

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The above letter to the editor is the text as submitted by Felix Qui to the Bangkok Post.

The text as edited was published in PostBag on August 12, 2023, under the title "Poll paralysis" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2628087/no-blessings