A majority of people say the time is now ripe for a general election, preferably in early 2022, according to the result of an opinion survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll.
The poll was conducted online during Oct 25-28 on 1,186 people throughout the country to compile their opinions on the ongoing visits by leaders and MPs of political parties to meet the people in various areas -- viewed by many as an indication that a new general election is imminent.
Some of the questions raised were open to more than one answer.
Asked what they saw from the current moves by political parties and politicians, 60.90% said there were rifts in political parties; 50.06% said they were trying to put themselves in the spotlight; 49.14% said they were playing a political game; 49.14% believed a general election was imminent; and 43.14% said they were diverting people's attention from Covid-19.
On the possibility for an election to be held in early 2022, 57.86% said "yes"; 28.36% said "no"; and 13.78% were uncertain.
Asked what would follow a new election, 58.31% said there would then be a new government; 56.26% said it would give new people a chance to step in to solve problems; 50.80% said there would be a new prime minister; 43.17% said there would be political change; and 42.03% said people would exercise their democratic rights.
Asked which political party they thought would win the most MPs in the election, 32.94% chose the Pheu Thai Party; 25.21% the Move Forward Party; 24.61% the Palang Pracharath Party; 6.18% the Democrat Party; and 4.28% the Bhumjaithai Party.
Asked to name the person they wanted to be prime minister if there was a new election, 28.67% chose Pita Limjaroenrat; 21.27% Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha; 19.35% Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan; 8.84% Abhisit Vejjajiva; and 6.09% Khunying Pojaman Damapong.
Judging from the overall situation, 70.29% thought the time was now ripe for a new election; 22.79% said otherwise; and 6.92% were uncertain.