BANGKOK, 2 January 2012 (NNT) – A Suan Dusit poll shows Thai people are concerned over corruption the most when it comes to politics; however, they believe this year’s economy will be better than last year.

The poll was conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University from 20-31 December 2011 with 2,114 Thai people nationwide on political, economic and social issues in 2012. In terms of politics, 47.82% of the respondents express concerns about corruption and political profiteering from government budgets. 42.72% prophesy that politics will be as chaotic as last year since most politicians have not changed. They also believe constitutional amendments will take place.

As for economic issues, most of the people or 52.17% show concerns about high product prices and high cost of living. 30.26% worry about unemployment while 17.57% about the country’s economic problems, such as increasing inflation. However, Thai people’s overall economic sentiment is positive with 44.24% of the respondents believing that the 2012 economy will be better than last year due to the government’s urgent task to restore foreign investor confidence after the recent major flooding.

In terms of social issues, the majority of the respondents or 53.57% say they are concerned about narcotic drugs, crime, vice and social threats. 40.65% believe that the Thai society this year will be largely the same due to mild legal punishment, adding that a lack of unity will cause the society to remain weak.

Reporter: Narumon Ngamsaithong – NNT