Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha join his hosts in a dance during his visit to Ban Phu, Nong Soong district of Mukdahan province on Feb 6. (Government House photo)

Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha remains the favourite for prime minister but Pheu Thai is the party people want to see lead the formation of the new government, according to an opinion survey.

Nida Poll on Friday released the findings of its survey conducted between Feb 5 and 7 based on interviews with 2,091 people nationwide.

Gen Prayut, who is the prime ministerial candidate of the Palang Pracharath Party, was the first choice of 26% of the respondents, followed by Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of Pheu Thai (24%). Another 12% are uncertain while Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party was endorsed by 11.4%. Another 6.3% say they will not vote for anyone.

Six percent want to see Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit of the Future Forward Party as prime minister, followed by Pol Gen Seripisut Temiyaves of the Seri Ruam Thai Party (5.5%) and Chadchart Sittipunt, another Pheu Thai PM candidate (4.5%).

Asked which party they want to see winning and becoming the core of the new government, 36.5% chose Pheu Thai, followed by Palang Pracharath (22.6%), Democrat (15.2%), Future Forward (8.2%) and Seri Ruam Thai (5%).

Another 4.4% remain uncertain and 3% do not support any party. Chartthaipattana received a 1.4% vote of confidence. Pheu Chart and Bhumjaithai had 0.9%, followed by Thai Raksa Chart and Action Coalition for Thailand, a party supported by Suthep Thaugsuban (0.4% each).

As for the priorities of the new government, respondents want it to address the slow economy and debt problems (54.8%), farm price slump (27.9%), introduce free education to a bachelor’s degree (4.3%), fight corruption (2.8%) and resolve non-formal debts (1.8%).

An overwhelming majority of 98% say they will vote while 0.96% will not and 0.91% are not sure.