Thais are not a happy bunch and almost 90% of them say politics is spoiling it for them, according to the latest findings by Super Poll.
The Super Poll Research Centre released its findings about "People's Happiness" yesterday based on interviews of 2,875 people of working age throughout the country.
About 47% of the respondents say they are "caught in the middle" while 27.5% say they are not quite happy or unhappy. Only 25.6% say they are happy or very happy.
When asked about the political situation, 88% of the poll respondents say politics is ruining their happiness compared with 11% of those who say it has no impact on them.
Noppadon Kannika, director of the Super Poll Research Centre, said the findings show people are less happy due to the lingering political conflict and divisions, and that parties should work together to restore trust and happiness.
Also, findings by Rajabhat Suan Dusit University, or Suan Dusit Poll, seem to reflect the mood.
The political situation is still uncertain without any clear sign of what lies ahead, causing people to worry about their livelihoods, according to the latest survey by Rajabhat Suan Dusit University, or Suan Dusit Poll. The poll was conducted among 1,257 people throughout the country on April 2-6.
Asked to select from multiple-choice answers, 40% of respondents said the political direction is still unclear as the March 24 election results have yet to be officially announced; 32% said the country is still without democracy, with people still prevented from expressing their opinions; 23% said conflict and mudslinging are still rampant; 15% said political uncertainty is affecting the economy and development; and 14% hoped the situation would improve when a new government was in place.
Asked what concerns them most about the political situation, 41% cited the ongoing weak economy; 31% said corruption and lack of transparency are still prevalent; 26% cited the ongoing political conflicts; 15% the delay of election results; and 11% the loopholes and injustice in the implementation of the constitution, laws and regulations.
Meanwhile, Adul Khiewboriboon, chairman of a support group for relatives of victims of the 1992 Black May unrest, yesterday expressed concern over the deepening political divisions in the country.
Mr Adul said former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should stop inciting people and authorities should drop cases against people expressing political views.