Stage-led political rallies are the preferred form of political canvassing, followed by campaigning on social media and other means, according to the result of a survey by the Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll.
The poll was conducted on Sept 18-22 on 1,174 eligible voters after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) eased restrictions to allow political parties to resume some activities - although campaigning itself, including the use of electronic and social media, are still prohibited.
Asked how they view the use of social media for campaigning, 48.15% said it is a modern, effective method that would help save time and money; 34.54% said it would allow people to have easy access to information; 25.93% said the method would be hard to control and might allow mud-slinging; 17.04% believed it would allow campaigners to target specific groups; and 13.53% said it might infringe on the privacy of individuals.
Asked to name their preferred mode of campaigning, 29.32% mentioned political addresses on stage; 26.00% use of social media; 25.13% door-to-door canvassing; 9.08% campaigning with a convoy of vehicles; 6.98% campaigning via parties' websites; 6.81% large billboard displays; and 0.52% sending SMS messages on mobile phones (0.52%).
Asked how they view staged rallies in particular, 61.88% were positive, saying that it allows candidates to explain their vision and outline their policies and gives people a chance to view the candidates and assess their personalities, and 32.12% said they do not like it, saying it is noisy, creates large crowds and causes public disturbances.
Asked what would most effectively draw their attention to a political campaign, 33.85% mentioned television; 27.55% in-person communication from candidates, party leaders and supporters; 20.70% use of social media; and 17.90% other forms of campaigning, such as newspapers, radio, canvassing vehicles and fliers.