Imagine a leader who surpasses Prime Ministerial expectations with the charisma of a rock star and the strategic acumen of a seasoned chess grandmaster. That’s exactly what the latest survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) seems to have unveiled. At the forefront of Thailand’s political ballet, dance Pita Limjaroenrat, whose charm and political savvy have not just caught the public’s eye, but have snagged it with the adeptness of a skilled angler.
What could be described as a veritable political tsunami, the results from NIDA’s meticulously conducted telephonic interviews, which grasped the insights of 2,000 respondents from the lively streets of Bangkok to the tranquil rice paddies of Isaan, were nothing short of an upheaval in conventional wisdom. Through December’s frosty breath, from the 13th to the 18th, these respondents, each aged 18 or older and as diverse as Thailand’s renowned cuisine, divulged their most candid political preferences.
The question posed was simple yet substantial: “Who would you pick to drive the nation forward as Prime Minister?” An animated drumroll for the results, if you please! Crowning the leaderboard with a sweeping 39.4% was none other than Pita Limjaroenrat. Pulling up in a rather distant second we find Srettha Thavisin, batting at 22.35%, while a third of the nation—an ample 18.6%—mused that no suitable candidate had emerged.
Not far behind, trailing glass slippers of hope, was Paetongtarn Shinwatra from Pheu Thai at 5.75%; the underdog story continued with Pirapan Salirathavibhaga of United Thai Nation, clutching a modest 2.4%. In the post-May 14th general election haze, where Move Forward secured an awe-inspiring number of seats, Pita, however, faced the unyielding resistance from the senators, leading to a parliamentary stalemate in his bid for the Prime Minister’s post. Following a suspension from his MP seat and his subsequent resignation as Move Forward leader—courtesy of the Election Commission’s query to the Constitutional Court about his eligibility, clouded by allegations of media firm shareholding—Pita’s intrigue to the populace has only intensified.
Eclipsing even the nail-biting drama of Pita’s political tango, when nudged about party allegiance, the hearts of the masses leapt overwhelmingly towards Move Forward, which commanded an impressive 44.05%—a testament to how quickly political fortunes can reverse. Following in the shadow, albeit at a respectable distance, was Pheu Thai, clinging to the hearts of 24.05% of respondents. On the other hand, a discerning 16.10% couldn’t pinpoint a party that resonated with their pulse, tossing their lot into the “No suitable party” category. And finally, drumming up support in their respective corners were the Democrats with 3.6% and the United Thai Nation with a determined 3.2%.
In the grand theatre of Thai politics, there’s no denying that the pulse quickens at the mention of Pita Limjaroenrat. Each development has been a gripping episode in the saga that is Thailand’s whirling political dance. And with the NIDA poll painting such a riveting portrait of the electorate’s inclinations, the anticipation for the next act in this thrilling political drama is palpable. One thing’s for certain: The Land of Smiles never fails to keep the world watching with bated breath.
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