PM hits new popular high

News > Local News

OPINION POLLS

Published: 2 May 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Economists have slated the government for its economic performance over the past nine months, while the prime minister is revelling in new highs of popularity, two separate polls have revealed.

The first, conducted by Bangkok University, polled 63 economists from 26 organisations between April 20-25. They gave the government a lowly 3.83 out of a possible 10 for its overall economic performance. The lowest score, 3.03, came for energy price management.

For handling the rising price of goods the government fared little better, achieving a meagre 3.17.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

johninbkk
Post : 2,930
Send message

Discussion 12 : 03 May 2012 at 20.4212
Post this to my Facebook
These polls are taken monthly, so I looked up the ratings from previous months. The PTP administration has consistently scored ~20% higher than the Dem Administration. It's been 9 months since PTP took over - way past it's 'honeymoon' period, yet ratings are only just slightly lower. For example, YS was rated 6.14 after the election, and is now 6.04. But, there is still plenty of room for improvement.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
bikeme
Post : 1,114
Send message

Discussion 11 : 02 May 2012 at 15.4311
Post this to my Facebook
Hillfarang - crediting YS for a "lack of violence" is pretty baseless, there has been plenty of violence in the south and the only reason there has been no violence in BKK is because her brother hasn't needed his storm troops. And since her brother hasn't called out the troops, it stands to reason the military will be more relaxed. So knock two of your compliments off the list.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
hawaiiman
Post : 658
Send message

Discussion 10 : 02 May 2012 at 14.1910
Post this to my Facebook
D-6..Well said!
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
jacksprat
Post : 2,449
Send message

Discussion 9 : 02 May 2012 at 13.199
Post this to my Facebook
So Yingluck increases in popularity, whilst the government she heads goes down the tubes. As Trink would say, TIT.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
dao
Post : 4,644
Send message

Discussion 8 : 02 May 2012 at 13.178
Post this to my Facebook
The people who voted for YS dont care much about how the economy does as long as they get a good rice price .
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
banmebkk
Post : 2,420
Send message

Discussion 7 : 02 May 2012 at 12.137
Post this to my Facebook
"PM hits new popular high"
Kind of misleading title, more like "PM shows slight improvement". Either way, the country is being run poorly now, especially the PTP putting Thailand heavily into debt with their poor policies.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
hillfarang
Post : 1,307
Send message

Discussion 6 : 02 May 2012 at 11.466
Post this to my Facebook
D: 3 hawaiiman

I daresay that there are at least two, and probably more schools of economic though. International economics is not an exact science. As mentioned, it depends upoin the goals. However, to all of those advocates of "pure capitalism" good luck! All markets experience some regulation & manipulation.

That's why we vote for politicians to run the government.

YS is not given enough credit for the stability, lack of violence, peace (Cambodia) and more relaxed attitude of the military. Way to go!
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
arch
Post : 110
Send message

Discussion 5 : 02 May 2012 at 11.345
Post this to my Facebook
Appearance always goes over substances here.
So this comes as no surprise.
The YS photo ops and the PTP marketing machinery are doing the trick.
And you gotta hand it to them: they are very good at it.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
Eric
Post : 1,161
Send message

Discussion 4 : 02 May 2012 at 10.544
Post this to my Facebook
No doubt the government will need to work harder to combat current inflation. However if the economists were to look at the overall economy, there is plenty to be optimistic. Thailand GDP of around 5.5 - 6 % will be among the highest in ASEAN. FDI is increasing continuously and Jan-FEB BOI reported an investment of 81B Baht. We have full employment and our current account is projected to be at a surplus from tourism and automobile exports. Our credit rating at BBB+ has been stable in spite of the flood and politics. At this rating, we should be able to service our debt which is not very high and in fact lower than most sovereign BBB+ countries.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
hawaiiman
Post : 658
Send message

Discussion 3 : 02 May 2012 at 07.483
Post this to my Facebook
It's interesting that these economists rated the score low for energy policy because of easing of price supports. There are obviously 2 camps of economists. Some would praise removing price controls. Robin hood economics, although condemned by the free market camp, are probably the only way of preserving social justice. Inflation is a by product of growth, and helping the poor to cope with it is to be applauded. Having a split gas policy is a great idea.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment

1 2 Next Last

PM hits new popular high | Bangkok Post: news