Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is the public's leading choice for the prime minister's post, followed by Democrat Party's Abhisit Vejjajiva, Pheu Thai's Sudarat Keyuraphan and Future Forward's Thanathorn Jungroongreangkit, according to the result of an opinion survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll.
The poll was carried out on Sept 5-8 on 1,132 people throughout the country to compile their opinions on the upcoming election -- tentatively set for early 2019 -- and candidates for the posts of MPs and prime minister.
Asked to name their choice for prime minister, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha came first with 24.72%. Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was second at 17.57%, closely followed by Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Pheu Thai Party (16.53%). Future Foward Party leader Thanathorn Jungroongreangkit was fourth at 14.63% - and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was fifth at 13.50%.
The choices of the remaining 13.05% included Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, former prime minister Chuan Leekpai, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temiyavej, Anuthin Charnveerakul, Chaturon Chaisaeng, Chadchart Sithipan and Narongsak Osotthanakorn.Asked whether they would vote for former MPs or new faces, a majority -- 69.88% -- said they would be open to both; 16.15% said they would stick to former MPs; and 13.97% said they would rather vote for new faces.
On the values of the parties that they would vote for, 32.46% preferred a party which upholds honesty, justice and morality; 23.39% said they would choose a party with new, clear and practical policies; 20.15% wanted a party which adheres to the interest of the majority; 19.87% said they would vote for a party with a clear plan to move the country forward, particularly in the economic sphere; and 4.13% wanted a party intending to reform politics, unite the country and advance democracy.
