The majority of people have no faith in the government's probe into alleged irregularities in its rice pledging scheme, according to Abac Poll results released yesterday.
The Assumption University (Abac) poll showed 61.6% of respondents did not trust the government in handling the investigation into alleged corruption in the rice pledging scheme, while only 38.4% said they did trust the government.
The findings were released by Abac Poll assistant director Poontharee Issarangkul Na Ayutthaya.
She said the survey was conducted among 2,438 people in 17 provinces.
The survey found 58% of the respondents said they felt discouraged seeing state officials who exposed the rice scandal facing punitive measures, while the remaining 42% said they felt nothing.
Earlier this month, deputy permanent secretary for finance Supa Piyajitti testified that the government's rice-pledging scheme was rife with corruption. Her claims are now being investigated by the government, which has accused her of collusion with the opposition.
Also, 62% said they dared not expose corruption involving the government or politicians if they came across it. The remaining 38% said they would unmask any they found involved in corruption.
Ms Poontharee said the findings showed the government's probe into the chemical contamination of packed rice has not restored public faith in rice.
Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut urged the government to allow the civic sector to jointly examine the quality of the rice under the pledging scheme.
He said he was not convinced by the Agriculture Department's remarks last week that it did not find the packed Co-co brand samples had been contaminated by methyl bromide, an odourless, colourless gas used to fumigate rice. The department's remarks contradicted findings by consumer groups and the Food and Drug Administration that the rice was tainted, Mr Chavanond said.