Thai Premier Paetongtarn’s support climbs to 30.9% in poll

[BANGKOK] Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra topped the list of the citizens’ choice for running the country as most locals support the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s policies, according to an opinion poll.

About 30.9 per cent of respondents support Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, as premier and want her to continue leading the South-east Asian nation, according to the Mar 24-27 survey by the National Institute of Development Administration or Nida. That’s an increase from the 28.8 per cent in the previous poll conducted in December.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the opposition People’s Party, ranked second with 25.8 per cent support, down from 29.9 per cent. Some 23.7 per cent of respondents said there is no person suitable as prime minister. The poll involved 2,000 Thais aged 18 and above nationwide, Nida said

Paetongtarn recently survived a no-confidence vote in parliament after a two-day debate where the opposition targeted her over her father’s alleged influence on the government and its mismanagement of the economy.

Paetongtarn was picked for the prime ministerial post in August in a parliament vote just days after the removal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, by the Constitutional Court in an ethics violation case. 

People’s Party had the highest approval rating at 37.1 per cent compared with the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s 28.1 per cent, according to Nida. Some 13.8 per cent respondents said there is no suitable political party in mind. BLOOMBERG