Bangkok: A recent study conducted by the Super Poll Research Center reveals that 81.1% of the public supports cutting off electricity to international gangs as a measure to reduce crime. The survey, led by Dr. Chanwit Ariyawanan, Acting Director of the center, was titled 'What do people think about Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul cutting off electricity to neighboring countries to solve transnational crimes?' and involved 1,143 participants from various professions across the nation.
According to Thai News Agency, the survey was carried out between January 31 and February 1, 2025, and the results show significant public backing for Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul's initiative. The study found that 81.1% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the plan, believing that cutting off electricity would diminish the influence of crime groups using Thailand's infrastructure. Meanwhile, only 18.9% disagreed or strongly disagreed with the approach.
In addition, the survey results indicated strong support for Mr. Anutin's border management strategies, with 85.7% of respondents in favor, highlighting public confidence in his capability to manage national security and border control effectively. However, when examining the effectiveness of the power cut-off measure, only 55.3% believed it would successfully reduce transnational crimes, suggesting some skepticism about its impact.
Further analysis revealed that 52.8% of the public advocated for additional measures beyond power cuts, such as stricter law enforcement, international collaboration, and the utilization of information technology to tackle online crime networks. This indicates a belief that a multi-pronged strategy would be more effective in curbing criminal activities.
The survey also found that 44.4% of respondents urged for decisive governmental action to address transnational crime, emphasizing the importance of results over political disagreements within the coalition government. Moreover, 43.9% supported the creation of a special agency to monitor and control electricity usage in suspicious areas, while only 13.7% expressed concerns about potential adverse effects on the general public and businesses in border regions.
Super Poll Research Center recommended integrating various measures to enhance crime prevention and suppression, such as leveraging technology, fostering international partnerships, and enacting stringent legal measures to track and control criminal assets. The center also emphasized the need for political unity and the establishment of a specialized agency to directly address these issues.