December 27, 2008
Bangkok (Manager Online) - News that HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej recovered from his illness and news of HM the King’s birthday on December 5 were considered the best news of the year.
Bangkok University surveyed 1,206 respondents from all walks of life during December 20-23.
New government led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva came in the second place, followed by the end of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Thai athletes winning gold medals at the Olympic Games in Beijing, and declining oil prices.
Thais attending the funeral ceremony of the late Princess Galyani Vadhana came in the sixth place, followed by the launch of six-month measures, disbanding political parties who did against the election law and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra who traveled outside Thailand.
The closure of the Don Muang Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport as well as the seizure of the Government House were the saddest news of the year.
Thai athlete Somjit Jongjorho and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva were the most admired persons or groups in the Thai society while the PAD and government supporter group were the most upset groups.
69.1 percent of the respondents expressed concerns over next year’s economic problem, cost of living and unemployment.
26.4 gave importance to political divide and the use of violence by mobs.
