The Move Forward Party (MFP) is becoming more popular as the election nears, according to a new poll.

The National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) released its third pre-election poll on Wednesday conducted from April 24-28 among 2,500 people.

Despite the party being the frontrunner in the poll, the popularity of Pheu Thai's party-list MPs dropped to 37.92% of respondents from 47% one month earlier.

Meanwhile, 35.36% voted for the MFP when it came to party-list MPs, up from 21.85%.

Most of those surveyed (35.44%) said they would vote for Pita Limjaroenrat for prime minister while 29.20% named Pheu Thai's Paetongtarn Shinawatra and 14.84% opted for Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha of the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party.

Compared to Nida's previous poll in April, Mr Pita has gained popularity, surpassing Ms Paetongtarn who was voted No.1 last month, with 35.70% of respondents preferring her.

Mr Pita said the party's growing popularity stems from its clear and consistent stance that it will not join a coalition government led by Gen Prayut or Gen Prawit Wongsuwon.

Ms Paetongtarn said the Pheu Thai Party has also remained firm on its stance that it will not cooperate with the UTN Party or Palang Pracharath Party.