More than half of the respondents to a recent opinion poll believe that Thailand’s economy this year will remain in bad shape, while political uncertainties will prevail, but that the government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will survive throughout the year.
The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) gauged the opinions of 1,310 people in various professions and of different educational backgrounds on December 16th, 17th and 18th.
Regarding politics this year, the survey shows 50.61% believe that the situation will remain unstable, while 39.92% believe it will become more chaotic. 7.30% think politics will be less chaotic and 2.14% believe they will be trouble-free.
The findings also show that 51.22% of the respondents believe that the government will last throughout the year. 21.60% expect a cabinet reshuffle though, and 15.34% believe that parliament will be dissolved, triggering a general election.
15.04% of the respondents believe rifts within the governing coalition will widen and may result in the collapse of the government, while 5.88% believe the prime minister may step down. 5.73% believe the prime minister may be forced out of the office by mass protests, 3.05% believe that there may be a coup and 1.76% believe that Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul may replace Paetongtarn as prime minister.
Regarding the economic situation, 34.43% of the respondents believe the situation will remain as bad as it was last year, 33.20% believe the situation will deteriorate, while 21.99%are optimistic that the situation will improve.
34.43% expect the quality of life this year to remain the same as last, but 20.46% believe it will improve.
