A majority of people say although they are happy seeing the country without unrest or protest rallies after the May 22 coup, they are suffering from a higher cost of living and more expensive goods, according to the result of Suan Dusit Poll published on Sunday.
The poll was conducted on 1,317 people nationwide between Jan 20-24 to gauge the people's opinion what they think have "improved" and what have become "worse" after the coup.
To the question what they think have improved, most of the respondents said they are happy with the country being without unrest or protest rallies (84.97%), followed by lower fuel prices and higher salaries for government officials (83.83%); the people can now lead a happy and normal life (79.50%); the ongoing suppression of corruption (78.82%); and reorganising of order for passenger vans, motorcycle taxis, foothpaths, beaches and others (75.91%).
Asked what they think have become worse, most of them pointed to rising cost of living and goods prices (87.24%); restrictions of rights of expression (80.18%); Thailand's image in the eyes of foreigners (76.08%); low costs of farm products and an export slump (65.15%); and, the unsolved problems in the far South (64.1%).