Designated locations have been set up nationwide so people can in two weeks' time write their responses to four questions about future elections and governance posed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha last week to educate the public and help foster democracy.
The Interior Ministry said yesterday it is making the necessary preparations.
People in Bangkok will be able to post their answers in person at either City Hall or any of the Damrongtham complaint centres in the capital but they must give their full names, it said. Similar complaint centres in the provinces will receive people there.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda held a meeting with provincial governors at the Thai Army Club yesterday to discuss how to gather public response.
Speaking after the meeting, Gen Anupong said officials will design the answer papers by the end of next week. The opinions gathered will be sent to the Office of the Prime Minister once every 10 days, he added.
He said people must show up in person as a show of good faith and also provide their 13-digit citizenship card number, adding that kamnan and village headmen will work to make sure no one uses other people's cards or otherwise falsifies their identity.
Stressing this was not an opinion poll, he said Gen Prayut put forth the questions to raise public awareness about elections and the upcoming general election.
The prime minister asked the following four questions in his televised speech on May 26, ostensibly in a bid to cultivate the good values of democracy in the mindset of the Thai people.
1. Do you think, in the next election, we will get a government which has good governance?
2. If not, what will you do?
3. An election is an important integral part of democracy, but an election alone without regard for the future of the country and others is right or wrong?
4. Do you think bad politicians should be given the chance of a political comeback; and if there is conflict again, who will solve it and by what means?
Gen Anupong said he trusted no state officials would distort the people's answers during the opinion-gathering process.
"There's no reason to do such a thing," he said, adding that he would discuss with the prime minister ways of making it more convenient for people in remote areas to air their views.
Yesterday, Gen Prayut repeated that the answers he receives would not cause the general election to be delayed.
He said the questions were designed to get people to think about the consequences of voting for the wrong candidates.
"The election will be held regardless. But how will it turn out? This rests with you [the public] as it is you who will choose the government," he said.
A general election is expected late next year as the nation moves to embrace democracy and adopt a new economic model dubbed "Thailand 4.0" based on innovation, high technology and a better-skilled workforce.