PUBLISHED : 25 Dec 2023 at 04:30
Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), was most favoured for the post of prime minister and his party the most popular, according to a survey carried out by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
The poll was carried out by telephone on Dec 13-18 with 2,000 respondents aged 18 and over of various levels of education, occupation and income nationwide. Asked who they would support for the post of prime minister, 39% opted for Mr Pita, citing his vision and familiarity with the younger generation.
The current prime minister Srettha Thavisin was next most favoured, with 22% of interviewees admiring his straightforwardness or declaring they were supporters of Pheu Thai themselves. Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra earned a 6% share, while United Thai Nation Party (UTN) leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul and Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, who leads Thai Sang Thai, each earned close to a 2% share among those asked to pick their choice for prime minister.
Gen Prawit Wongsuwon (Palang Pracharath Party), Chaithawat Tulathon (MFP), Abhisit Vejjajiva (former leader of the Democrat Party), Varawut Silpa-archa (Chartthaipattana Party), Chuan Leekpai (Democrat Party), Chalermchai Sri-on (Democrat Party), Tewan Liptapallop (Chartpattanakla Party), Wan Muhamad Noor Matha (Prachachart Party), Pol Col Thawee Sodsong (Prachachart Party), Chalerm Yubamrung (Pheu Thai Party), Mongkolkit Suksintharanont (Thai Civilized Party) and Supachai Panitchpakdi earned just 4% of nods between them. Nearly 19%% said nobody at all was currently suitable for the post.
The MFP (44%) led Pheu Thai (24%) as most popular party ahead of the Democrats (4%), the UTN (3%), the Bhumjaithai Party (2%) and the Palang Pracharath Party (1.5%).