Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, chief of the Pheu Thai Party's election strategy committee, were named the most popular male and female politicians in 2018 in an opinion survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll.
The poll was conducted between Dec 10-28 on 8,347 people across the country to compile their opinions on political, economic and social events and their favourite personalities in various fields in the year 2018.
In the survey, the respondents were first asked to cite the people and events most interesting to them in various categories. They were then asked to choose between the top three names and events from the first set of questions.
In the best male politicians category, Gen Prayut came first with support from 47.17% of the respondents; former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra followed with 31.25%; and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva with 21.58%. The female category was much closer, with Khunying Sudarat first with 34.20%; former Democrat Party deputy spokesperson Jitpat Kridakorn following with 33.47%; and former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra at 32.33%.
Chanathip Songkrasin (photo supplied)
The three best male athletes chosen by the respondents were star football player Chanathip Songkrasin at 48.79%; Thai boxer Buakaw Banchamek at 37.88%; and football star Thirasilp Daengda at 13.33%. The three best female athletes were star volleyball player Pluemjit Thinkhao 55.68%, volleyball star Nussara Tomkham at 23.89 %; and World No 1 golfer Ariya Jutanugarn at 20.43%.
The three best actors were Thanawat "Pope" Wattanaputi at 55.79%; Nadet Kukimiya at 27.96%; and James Mar at 16.25%. The three best actresses were Urassaya "Yaya" Sperbund at 42.66%; Ranee "Bella" Campen at 32.21%; and Patcharapa "Aum" Chaichua at 25.13%.
Pek Phalitchoke was named best male singer in the modern Thai song category with 46.99%, followed by Toon Bodyslam at 36.65% and Tom Room at 16.36%. The three best female singers in this category were Kaem The Star at 34.88%; Da Endorphine at 33.37%; and Palmy or Eve Pancharoen at 31.75%.
Urassaya "Yaya" Sperbund (Post Today photo)
The three best male singers in the Thai country song category were Kong Huayrai at 49.35%; Mike Piromporn at 25.59%; and Pai Pongsathorn at 25.06%. The three best female singers in this category were Tai Orathai at 54.84%; Paowalee Pornpimol at 23.47%; and Yinglee Srichumpol at 21.69%.
The three events which brought respondents "the most happiness" were the rescue of 13 "wild boars" out of Tham Luang cave at 66.71%; various festivals including New Year and Songkran at 19.87%; and the Unesco listing of Thai khon as part of the "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" at 28.64%.
The three most "deplorable events" were the death of ex-Seal member Saman "Sam" Kunan during the rescue of the "wild boars" at 42.13 %; the black leopard case at 29.23%; and crimes, accidents and violence at 28.64%.
The respondents' three highest hopes for the year 2019 were a better economy at 70.17%; unity of the Thai people at 19.46%; and an election and improved political situation at 10.37%.