Thanathorn 'most suited' to be prime minister: Poll

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is the most suitable person for the post of prime minister and his Future Forward Party (FFP) the best party to lead the country in the current situation, according to a survey by the National Institute for Development Administration, or Nida Poll.

The poll was conducted betwen Dec 18-20 on 2,511 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country to gauge their political opinions.

Asked who should be prime minister in the current situation, Mr Thanathorn came first with support from 31.42% of the respondents, who said they want a person of a new generation to take the helm of the country's administration and view Mr Thanathorn's FFP favourably.

Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha came second with support from 23.74% of the respondents, who said he is a straightforward person who can truly help the people and keep the country at peace.

Other persons named by respondents were 11.95% for Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Pheu Thai Party; 3.90% for Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temiyavej, leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party; 2.47% for Julin Laksanavisit, leader of the Democrat Party; 1.08% for Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party; 0.88% each for Kanchana Silpa-archa, leader of the Chartthaipattana Party, and Mingkwan Saengsuwan, leader of the New Economy Party; 0.67% for Abhisit Vejjajiva, former leader of the Democract Party; 0.56% for Chuan Leekpai, the current House Speaker; 0.47% for Wan Muhamad Nor Matha, leader of the Prachachart Party; 0.40% for Sompong Amornvivat, leader of the Pheu Thai party; 0.32% for MR Chatumongol Senakul, leader of the Action Coalition for Thailand Party; 0.16% for Tewan Liptapanlop of the Chart Pattana Party; Chadchat Sittipan 0.12%; and 0.04% each for Uttama Savanayana, Korn Jatikavanich, Somkid Jatusripitak, Chingchai Mongkoltham and Pirapan Salirathavibhaga.

The rest — 17.32% — said nobody is suitable for the post, while 3.46% were not interested or had no answer.

Asked to name a political party they would currently support, 30.27% said they are for the FFP; 19.95% for the Pheu Thai Party; 16.69% for the Palang Pracharath Party; 10.83% for the Democrat Party; 2.43% for the Bhumjaithai Party; 2.03% for the Seri Ruam Thai Party; 0.92% for the Chartthaipattana Party; 0.42% for the New Economy Party; 0.39% for the Palang Thai Rak Thai Party; 0.20% each for the Pheu Chart, Prachachart and New Aspiration parties; 0.08% each for the Ruam Palang Prachachart Thai and Thai Forest Conservation Party; and 0.04% each for the Khru Thai Pheu Prachachon, Chart Pattana, Thai Civilised Party, Thai Rak Tham and New Democracy parties.

The rest — 13.36% — said they do not support any party, while 1.59% were not interested or had no answer.