Reformist People’s Party still favourite as Thai elections loom: poll
[BANGKOK] The reformist People’s Party is still a favourite choice among Thais to run the country, with fresh elections expected to be held in the coming months, according to an opinion poll.
Some 33 per cent of respondents said they support the People’s Party, which is a key opposition and the largest political party in parliament, according to the Sep 19-24 survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida).
Despite remaining a favourite, the popularity of the party fell from 46 per cent in the previous poll. Its leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut also saw endorsements from respondents slip to around 23 per cent from 32 per cent.
About 22 per cent of those surveyed said they are still undecided on which political party they would support, up from 8 per cent seen in the previous poll.
The ruling Bhumjaithai Party saw its prominence among respondents climb to 13 per cent from 10 per cent.
New Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also enjoyed a boost on his popularity as support for him rose to 20 per cent from around 10 per cent.
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Anutin recently reiterated his pledge to dissolve the lower house of parliament within four months after delivering the policy statement under a deal with the People’s Party, which backed his bid for premiership without joining the coalition.
The Pheu Thai Party, which is affiliated with former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, received a slight increase in respondents’ support to 14 per cent from 12 per cent seen previously. Thaksin was recently sentenced to jail for a year by the Supreme Court to serve a commuted sentence for corruption and abuse of power.
Meanwhile, some 27 per cent of respondents said there’s no suitable prime minister candidate, an increase from 20 per cent previously.
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About 2,500 Thais aged 18 and above were interviewed in the survey, according to Nida. BLOOMBERG
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