BANGKOK (AP) – It’s the kind of poll result you’d see in a North Korean election or Saddam Hussein’s Iraq: Thailand’s military-ruled government says 99 percent of the country’s people are happy with its performance since it took power in a coup last year.
The junta has relentlessly pursued critics, jailing them for attempting to stage protests, lighting candles or even hitting the “like” button on Facebook, yet says the poll released Tuesday shows an astonishing majority of Thais are satisfied with its performance.
The survey conducted by the government-run National Statistical Organization found that 98.9 percent of respondents were satisfied and confident in the government’s performance, said government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd. He did not disclose the format or margin of error of the survey, but said 2,700 people nationwide were polled from Nov. 27 to Dec. 4.
However, the number of respondents and dates they were polled varied depending on the government source.
Deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said over 7,000 people were polled earlier in December.