A majority of people believe the Thai economy will get worse and politics will continue to be chaotic in 2021, according to a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
The poll was conducted on Dec 24-25 on 1,326 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country by means of simple random sampling by telephone. The reliability of the survey was estimated at 97%.
Regarding their opinions on the general political situation in 2021, compared to 2020, 41.63% believed it would continue to be as chaotic as before; 35.30% thought it would be even more chaotic; 15.46% said it would be less chaotic; 4.22% were optimistic, saying it would be calm; and 3.39% had no comment or were not interested.
Asked what they thought would happen to the government under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha this year, 54.15% believed the government would stay in power throughout the year; 13.12% thought there would be some cabinet reshuffles; 8.45% believed parliament would be dissolved and a new election called; 7.62% thought Gen Prayut would resign as prime minister; 3.02% said there would be divisions within the coalition parties; 2.26% believed Gen Prayut would lose his prime minister's post in a political case; 1.73% believed there would be a coup against the Prayut government; and 17.27% had no comment or were not interested.
Regarding protests by the People's Movement this year, 43.21% believed the group would continue to hold anti-government demonstrations; 22.78% thought the group would weaken; 13.80% believed it would weaken and eventually disintegrate; 11.24% said it would be able to raise the demonstrations to a higher level; and 8.97% had no comment or were not interested.
On the country's economy in 2021, 52.19% believed it would get worse; 32.13% thought it would remain unchanged; 14.63% said it would improve; and 1.05% had no comment or were not interested.
Asked about the Covid-19 pandemic in the country this year, 48.11% believed it would get more serious; 28.81% thought it would ease; 22.10% believed it would remain unchanged; and 0.98% had no comment or were not interested.