Voters getting anxious about poll date, survey reveals

Uncertainty over the next election leads people's top 10 concerns about Thai politics, according to an opinion survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll, Sunday.

The poll was conducted from Jan 15-19 among 1,071 people throughout the country.

The largest group of respondents, 48.4%, were afraid there may not be an election at all since an exact election date has not yet been fixed.

Other concerns were fear of political conflicts and persecution (40.9%); an economic recession (36.6%); that the election might be tainted by fraud, vote-buying and smear campaigns (30.6%); the government's administration might be unstable (24.1%); and infighting over power and interests (22.5%).

Others were that the country's image might be further damaged (21.3%); people's livelihoods might be affected (17.5%); rights and freedom might be restricted (16.3%); and the country might be plagued by fake news and fabrications (15.6%).

Another public opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) found most respondents still want Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to lead the country after the election, followed by Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, head of Pheu Thai's strategy committee, and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

More than 26% of 2,500 people told Nida Poll in phone interviews, conducted during Jan 2-15, they prefer Gen Prayut to Khunying Sudarat (22%) and Mr Abhisit (11%).

Their preferences go together with a majority of interviewees who want to see newly established political parties have a chance to form a new government after the election.

Nearly 60% said they want "new people, new policies and new ideas" to play a key role in changing Thailand, which has endured severe political conflicts for years and is struggling to deal with economic problems.