Poll shows Thai govt’s popularity declines slightly

BANGKOK, December 7 (TNA) - The popularity of Thailand’s three-month-old caretaker government of Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha has declined slightly, but majority of the respondents still want him to continue ruling Thailand, according to a survey conducted recently by the Bangkok Poll. The survey conducted among 1,158 persons from nationwide showed that out of the total 10 points, the government scored 6.52 points, 0.38 point less than the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) when it had taken over the country three months ago. According to poll, the caretaker government scored most in national security, earning 7.3 points while it earned the least with only 5.89 points in overseeing economic sector. On satisfaction toward Gen. Prayut in performing duty as the prime minister in the past three months, the respondents gave 7.43 points, still 0.33 point less than the NCPO after ruling the country three months. Another 53.8 per cent of the total respondents said Gen. Prayut’s performances were much better than their earlier expectations. Asked whether they would still vote for him to continue ruling the country as prime minister, 75 per cent said “Yes”, 5.5 per cent lower than the last survey conducted three months ago. Meanwhile, the Master Poll run by the Thai Researchers in Community Happiness Association, disclosed its survey conducted among 624 communities leaders between November 29 – December 6, showing that 88.2 per cent of the leaders still continue supporting the NCPO while 10.4 per cent said they were still uncertain and 1.4 per cent said they would not support the junta. (TNA)