(TNA) - More than half of Bangkok residents believe deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra sought to highlight his case through high-profile international media to advance and protect his own interests, according to a poll by Dhurakitpundit University.
About 58 per cent of the respondents say former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has actively engaged with foreign media to save his personal interests.
Only 19.1 per cent believe his interviews and appearances in the foreign media were aimed at reviving his political standing while 18.3 per cent believe he was trying to safeguard national interests.
In a survey conducted this week (February 7-8), 1,256 Bangkok residents voiced their cercerns about Mr Thaksin's controversial interviews in foreign media.
Very few think Mr Thaksin wanted to tell his side of the story or to discredit the interim government.
Two-thirds -- 67.8 per cent -- of the respondents do not want the deposed prime minister to continue his publicity campaign, saying that his action badly affects the country's image and Thailand's relations with other nations. They also want Mr Thaksin to end his political career.
But one-third -- 32.2 per cent -- of those surveyed said Mr Thaksin has the right to express his views because the interim government has yet to produce evidence to suggest that he had done anything wrong while in office.
Nearly one-third of the respondents felt the government's policy in the south is little different than that of the Thaksin government.
Asked if the interim government of Gen Surayud Chulanont is more determined to end militant violence in southern Thailand than the previous administration, 40.4 per cent said yes, 28.8 per cent said no and the remaining 30.8 per cent there was no significant difference.
