Prayut Chan-o-cha currently tops the list of prime ministerial candidates, but the pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai party is ahead, according to the latest NIDA Poll (National Institute of Development Administration).
The survey sampled opinions from 2,091 people of minimum age 18 years and with varied occupations and educational backgrounds between February 4th and 7th.
Of the ten most favoured prime ministerial candidates, Prayuth Cha-o-cha led the field polling 26.06% with Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Pheu Thai party coming second, with 24.01%.
Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva ranks 4th with 11.43% and Thanathorn Jungroongruangkit of Future Forward party ranks 6th with 5.98%.
Pol Gen Seripisut Taemeeyavej, Mr. Chadchart Sitthipant of Pheu Thai and Ms. Kanchana Silpa-archa of Chart Thai Pattana party rank 7th 8th and 10th respectively.
In the party race, the poll shows Pheu Thai, 36.49%; Palang Pracharat, 22.57%; Democrat, 15.21%; Future Forward, 8.18%; Seri Ruam Thai, 4.97%; Chat Thai Pattana, 1.39%; Pheu Chart and Bhumjai Thai, 0.91%; and Thai Raksa Chart, 0.43%.
54.85% of those surveyed set standard of living and debt problems as top priorities for the new government to address, followed by 27.93% for farm product prices; 4.26% for free education up to university level and 2.7% for the fight against graft.
98.13% of the respondents said they will vote in the general election, while 0.96% said they will definitely not.