Bangkok: Associate Professor Olar Thinbangtiao, Ph.D., a faculty member in the Department of Political Science at Burapha University, has commented on the King Prajadhipok Institute's (KPI Poll) survey results, stating that they not merely reflect public opinion in numerical terms, but also provide a clear political signal regarding the role of the opposition during the current crisis.
According to Thai News Agency, Associate Professor Olar stated that amidst economic pressures from external factors, the public does not expect confrontational politics or power struggles. Instead, they desire to see politics that takes responsibility for the country's shared situation, particularly the 43.3% figure indicating a desire for the opposition to "cooperate with the government on necessary matters and to simultaneously conduct oversight," reflecting the need for a "new, more flexible form of opposition."
"The public doesn't want a compliant opposition, but one with political maturity, capable of distinguishing between issues that warrant cooperation for the common good and those that require serious scrutiny," Associate Professor Olar said.
Associate Professor Olar further stated that the figure of only 22.4% supporting rigorous scrutiny by the opposition reflects that confrontational politics may no longer align with current societal expectations.
In the regional dimension, Assoc. Prof. Olar points out that people in the South and Northeast, despite their different political backgrounds, share a significant similarity: they want to reduce political conflict and prioritize solving economic problems. This reflects that in times of crisis, political ideology may become less important when compared to daily life survival.
Furthermore, the survey found that over 76.1% of the public support short-term measures to reduce the cost of living, especially in energy, transportation, and essential expenses, reflecting that economic issues remain an urgent concern for society.
Associate Professor Olar observed that the key challenge for the opposition at this time is to transform its oversight role into tangible policy proposals. If it continues to focus only on criticism without concrete suggestions, it risks losing public trust.
"In crisis situations, people tend to evaluate political roles based on actual outcomes rather than stances or rhetoric," Associate Professor Olar said.
Associate Professor Olar views this KPI Poll not as diminishing the role of the opposition, but rather as defining new conditions for its function in Thai society. In other words, the opposition remains important as a mechanism for oversight, but must adapt its role to encompass both scrutiny and the proposal of solutions.
"Ultimately, the legitimacy of the opposition will not depend solely on the intensity of its scrutiny, but on its ability to make the public feel that the opposition party is genuinely contributing to improving their lives," Associate Professor Olar stated.