Phuket Poll: Thai police lose battle in gaining trust

PHUKET: A staggering 80% of all respondents to a Phuket Gazette poll have stated that they do not trust the Thai Police – either in part or at all.

The message was sent loud and clear through the poll, which garnered more than 12,000 votes (click

here).

Thai nationals led the charge, with 49% saying that they did not trust any Thai police officers. A further 23% said that most Thai police could not be trusted and another 18% said that they believed only some Thai police were trustworthy.

Only 8% of Thais who voted in the poll said that most – or all – Thai police could be trusted.

In contrast, a combined 30% of local foreign residents who voted in the poll said that they did trust all, or most, Thai Police.

However, that figure was countered by 39% of foreign respondents saying that they did not trust any Thai police officers, and a further 18% saying that most Thai police were not to be trusted.

If the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Royal Thai Police believe they are convincing tourists that the Thai police are to be trusted, they might have to think again.

Only 9% of all tourists and visitors to Phuket who cast their votes in the poll said the Thai police were generally trustworthy.

A combined 65% of Phuket tourists who voted in the poll said that most – if not all – Thai police were not to be trusted.

A further 25% of tourists said that only some Thai police could be trustet.

For the full poll results, click here.

In our latest poll we ask Gazette readers: “What is the best way to hire Phuket’s lifeguards?” (story here).

To have your say in this poll, vote at right.

Have an idea for a poll? Contact us with your suggestions at polls@phuketgazette.net.