Just over half the people think there was no constructive political news at all throughout the year 2012, according to an Abac Poll result released on Wednesday.
The poll involved 2,189 people aged 18 up, between Nov 29-Dec 30, 2012, in Bangkok, Phetchaburi, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Prakan in the Central Region; Uttaradit, Lampang and Chiang Rai in the North; Mukdahan, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Loei, Roi Et and Buri Ram in the Northeast; and Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla in the South.
A little more than one half, or 51.4%, of the people polled said there was no constructive political news at all in 2012; only 19.1% mentioned the news of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva announcing a joint stance against corruption; 10.5% the news of Ms Yingluck's courtesy call on Privy Council chairman Prem Tinsulanonda; 9.4% the news on the government and opposition's comments on the situation in three southern border provinces; and 7.2% the news on a friendly football match between the government and opposition politicians on one side and newsmen on the other.
On constructive economic news, 36.2% pointed to the news on preparations for the launch of the Asean Economic Community in 2015, 17.9% the government's policies on 300 baht daily wage and a 15,000 baht starting salary for bachelor's degree graduates, 14.7% the visits by the United States and China leaders to Thailand, 13.3% Thailand's economic growth, and 8.1% the government's rice-pledging scheme. Only 9.8% said there was no constructive economic news at all.
On favourite news anchors, Sorayuth Suthassanachinda of Channel 3's Rueang Lao Chao Nee programme came first with 63.8% following, followed by Kitti Singhapad 11.2%, Thaniwat Pattanavirakhun 6.9%, Kanok Wongratkul 4.5%, Thira Thanpaiboon 4.0%, and 9.6% for others.
On most used terms in 2012, AEC came first with 54.7%, followed by "Love and unity of the people in the country" 23.8%, and "a charter amendment referendum" 6.2%. The rest were for other words such as "3G auction", "anti-corruption" and "drunk-driving."