Poll: No-show politicised

>> Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s no-show at the Supreme Court’s ruling has been politicised and she should comply with the law and face the consequences, according to a Suan Dusit Poll.

The poll shows 71% believe the no-show has turned into political issue and attracted wide public attention, while 67% felt Ms Yingluck should face the ruling and follow the law.

Also, 63% thought Ms Yingluck’s vanishing act could spell the end of her political career whereas 57% said it might contribute to instability and tarnish the country’s image.

Ms Yingluck has disappeared since the ruling on the rice-pledging case on Aug 25. The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions seized her surety money of 30 million baht and issued a warrant for her arrest. The court has rescheduled the hearing of the ruling to Sept 27. The former prime minister is presumed to have fled the country.

According to the survey, 84% felt Ms Yingluck refused to attend the ruling session because she feared being denied bail if found guilty of negligence of duty for failing to stop the rice scheme, which has run up losses estimated at over 500 billion baht.

The poll also found 76% thought Ms Yingluck may not have confidence in the justice system, while 64% were concerned the issue could degenerate into social and political unrest.

Respondents said Ms Yingluck’s no-show, and if indeed she has left the country, would have repercussions for Pheu Thai as it will have to find a new central figure (67%) and that the party will likely decline in popularity (61%). Some 52% reckon the party will not be heavily disrupted as Ms Yingluck was a political nominee.

Turning to the government, 82% said it should locate Ms Yingluck and bring her to face the court ruling.

Meanwhile, National Anti-Corruption Commission president Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit said Ms Yingluck’s no-show had no impact on the probes the agency is conducting.