People’s party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has emerged as the favourite candidate for prime minister in the February 8 general election, according to a public opinion survey conducted by Thai PBS, in collaboration with the Sripatum Poll–D-Vote Centre of Sripatum University.
The survey, carried out between December 23 and January 2, gathered responses from 2,683 Thai citizens aged 18 and over across all regions, age groups, educational backgrounds and occupations.
When asked who they prefer as the country’s next leader, 57.4% of respondents chose Natthaphong, followed by Pheu Thai's Yodchanan Wongsawat (18.2%), Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (7.3%), Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul (6.7%) and Gen. Rangsi Kitiyansap of the Thai Economic party (3.3%).
Meanwhile, 3% said they had no one in mind.
Regarding public confidence in political parties, the People’s party topped the list with 58.5%. Pheu Thai ranked second at 17.6%, followed by the Democrat party at 7.1% and the Bhumjaithai party at 6.6%.
Smaller shares went to the Thai Economic party (2.7%) and the United Thai Nation party (1.5%), while 3.8% of respondents expressed no confidence in any party.
On policy priorities, respondents said the most urgent issue for the next prime minister to address is the economy and cost of living (42.5%), followed by combating corruption (25.7%) and constitutional amendment (18%). Other concerns included border issues (4.5%), education (3.2%), basic infrastructure (1.9%) and the environment and natural disasters (1.2%).
Meanwhile, 87.4% of respondents said they would choose the same party for both constituency and party-list MPs, while only 8.8% planned to split their votes.
When asked which statement best reflected their current feelings about the election, 38.8% said the new election is likely to make Thailand better.
Another 29.2% emphasised their commitment to exercising their right to vote, regardless of circumstances. Smaller percentages expressed concerns about misinformation (5.7%), vote-buying (5.4%), high social energy around the election (5.3%) or the presence of many interesting candidates (5.2%).
