Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Future Forward Party (FFP), has been voted people's favourite politician in 2019 in an opinion survey by Bangkok University, or Bangkok Poll.
The poll was conducted on Dec 9-12 on 1,228 people aged 18 and over across the country. The respondents were asked to name the people they liked most in different categories in 2019.
In the "most admirable person" category, Bin Banluerit, a key leader of a charity foundation, came first with support from 59.4% of the respondents for his leading role in helping flood victims in Ubon Ratchathani province. Mr Bint was followed by 21.7% for rocker Artiwara Kongmalai, aka "Toon Bodyslam", for his charity runs to raise funds for hospitals; 7.8% for Chao Khun Alongkot, the abbot of Phra Bat Nam Phu temple for his dedication to Aids patients; 3.0% for Paveena Hongsakula for her dedication to abused women and children; and 2.3% for Panadda "Boom" Wongpoodee for her campaign for heavier punishments for those convicted of rape.
In the most outstanding actresses category, Urassaya Sperbund, alias Yaya, came first with 19.4%, followed by Ranee Campen, or Bella, 16.6%; Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul, or Baifirn, 9.5%; Davika Hoorne, or Mai, 6.7%; and, Woranut Bhirombhakdi, or Noon, 6.3%.
The five most outstanding actors were: Nadech Kugimiya 21.4%; Sukollawat Kanarot, or Veer, 17.4%; Mario Maurer 7.1%; Pakorn Chatborirak, or Boy, 4.5%; and Jirayu Tangsrisuk, or James, 4.4%.
The five most favourite politicians were: Thanathorn 32.0%; Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha 29.2%; Chuan Leekpai 13.5%; Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan 6.1%; and Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temiyavej 5.0%.
The five most interesting legal cases in the news in 2019 were: a mother being murdered by her son, her body being dismembered and body parts stuffed in a refrigerator 39.0%; the mysterious death of Thitima "Lunlabelle" Noraphanpiphat 35.2%; Thanathorn being stripped off his MP status by the Constitutional Court 30.1%; the Mae Manee pyramid share case 23.8%; and a judge's suicide attempt in a courtroom in Yala 18.7%.