Poll: Preah Vihear ruling to benefit all

Published: 20 Oct 2013 at 13.02 The majority of people surveyed by Suan Dusit Poll believe that both Thailand and Cambodia will benefit from the ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the territorial dispute over the area surrounding Preah Vihear temple on Nov 11.

Ambassador to the Netherlands Veerachai Plasai, left, defends the Preah Vihear case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague on April 17. (File photo of the Foreign Ministry)

Two-thirds of 1,477 people surveyed by the pollster say that the ruling will benefit both sides because the ICJ would weigh the decision carefully and thoroughly consider the pros and cons before making the decision in order to prevent a new dispute.

However, 17.74% of respondents believe the ruling will benefit Thailand as they have confidence in the Thai legal team which faced the court. But 15.76% held the view that Cambodia would benefit from the ruling and Thailand should have a back-up plan as Cambodia had sought the ruling.
On the preparation of Thais for the ICJ’s ruling, 46.23% of respondents say they will accept and respect the ruling, 23.58% will prepare for an unfavourable ruling, 16.98% will pray for Thailand to win the case and 13.21% will closely monitor the news about the issue.
Ask what worries them the most about the ruling on Nov 11, 33.9% are concerned about the safety of local people as there have been clashes in the area before, 29.66% are afraid that Thailand may be at disadvantage and will not receive justice, and 20.34% are worried that the ruling will impact on bilateral relations, particularly on the business, border trade and investment. A further 16.1% of respondents are worried that the issue will be raised as a political ploy for public unrest.