Over 43% of Respondents Agree on Lifting Martial Law in Thailand

BANGKOK, Sept 7 (TNA) - A total of 43.28 per cent of total respondents in a survey conducted recently by NIDA Poll agreed that the martial law, imposed by the military following the May 22 coup, ought to be lifted in order to create a better image for Thailand and restore investor confidence as the general situation in the country has improved. The survey, conducted on 1,250 people nationwide between September 3-5, showed that 40.64 per cent disagreed with the lifting of the martial law, saying that the imposition of the martial law has to be continued for a certain period until it is certain that no social divisiveness existed in the country. 11.44 per cent of the total respondents said that they are still uncertain, saying that if the martial law is to be lifted, it should be done on certain provinces or areas. The same survey also showed that as many as 87.68 per cent of the total respondents said they were not affected by the martial law and that they also felt safe than before the coup because soldiers are placed everywhere. However, 11.84 per cent that said they were affected because they had to travel at night as well as did not full rights on expressions of politics while economy was deteriorating. The survey was conducted after Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, also leader of the National Council for Peace and Order which staged the coup, said last Friday the concerned authorities were considering lifting the martial law in some areas and the lifting would be carried out on a gradual basis. – TNA