While most people still see no-one suitable for the post of prime minister in the current situation, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha continues to lead potential candidates for the post in a quarterly political popularity survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
However, the Palang Pracharath Party attracted signicantly less support than both the Pheu Thai and the Move Forward parties.
The survey for the third quarter of 2021 was conducted with telephone interviews on 2,018 people aged 18 and above of various levels of education and occupations in all regions during Sept 20-23.
Asked who they would support for the prime minister's post in the current situation, the answers varied as follows:
- 32.61% said no-one was suitable for the post;
- 17.54% were for Gen Prayut;
- 11.15% for Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Thai Sang Thai Party;
- 11.05% for Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party;
- 9.07% for Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temiyaves, leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party;
- 7.48% no answer/not interested;
- 2.58% for Korn Chatikavanij, leader of the Kla Party;
- 2.33% for Sompong Amornvivat, leader of the Pheu Thai Party;
- 1.54% for Jurin Laksanavisit, leader of the Democrat Party;
- 1.24% for Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party; and
- A combined 3.41% were for many other political figures including Abhisit Vejjajiva, Mingkwan Saengsuwan, Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom, Wan Muhamad Nor Matha, Kanchana Silpa-archa, Chadchart Sittipunt, Tewan Liptapanlop, Chuan Leekpai and Narongsak Osotthanakorn.
Asked to name a political party they supported today, the answers varied as follows:
- 30.82% not for any particular party;
- 22.50% Pheu Thai Party;
- 15.11% Move Forward Party;
- 9.51% Palang Pracharath Party;
- 7.78% Democrat Party;
- 4.86% no answer/not interested;
- 2.68% Seri Ruam Thai Party;
- 1.93% Thai Sang Thai Party;
- 1.39% Kla Party;
- 1.14% Bhumjaithai Party; and
- A combined 2.28% were for Pheu Chart, Chartthaipattana, Thai Pakdi, New Economics, Chart Pattana, Prachachart and Ruam Palang Prachachart Thai parties.