Amid the bustling corridors of Thai politics, there lies a serene moment of reverence—Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her senior advisory team solemnly walked to pay homage at the revered shrine at Baan Phitsanulok, right before their first momentous meeting on Thursday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the dynamic leader of the Pheu Thai Party, is riding a crest of popularity, positioning her as the prime contender for the coveted role of prime minister. Meanwhile, the People’s Party is steadily capturing the public’s affection, holding the mantle as the preeminent political party according to a survey conducted in the 3rd quarter of 2024 by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
The comprehensive poll, meticulously carried out between September 16 and 23, reached 2,000 respondents across diverse demographics through telephone interviews. The respondents, aged 18 and over, represented various levels of education, occupations, and incomes from across the nation. The pressing question posed was: “Who would you support for the post of prime minister today?” The enlightening responses were as follows:
- 31.35% championed Paetongtarn “Ung-Ing” Shinawatra of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, applauding her unwavering leadership and tireless efforts to address the challenges faced by the people.
- 23.50% admitted to still being on the lookout for a suitable candidate for the prime ministerial post.
- 22.90% backed Mr. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People’s Party, admiring his fresh perspective and commendable attitude as a new-generation politician.
- 8.65% rooted for Pirapan Salirathavibhaga of the United Thai Nation Party, valuing his reliability and extensive administrative experience.
- 1.65% supported Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Thai Sang Thai Party, highlighting her impressive caliber, rich administrative experience, and firm stand against all forms of dictatorship.
- 4.00% favored Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party, appreciating his affable personality, straightforwardness, honesty, and clear working stance.
- 1.15% chose Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon of the Palang Pracharath Party, recognizing his decisiveness and profound political experience.
- 2.80% combined votes were polled for Chalermchai Srion (Democrat Party), Chuan Leekpai (Democrat Party), Wan Muhamad Noor Matha (Prachachart Party), Abhisit Vejjajiva, Varawut Silpa-archa (Chartthaipattana Party), Pol Col Thawee Sodsong (Prachachart Party), Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves (Thai Liberal Party), Korn Chatikavanij, and Parit Wacharasindhu.
- The remaining 4.25% of respondents were undecided or disinterested.
Shifting the spotlight to party preference, the People’s Party outshone others with an impressive 34.25% support. Following behind, the Pheu Thai Party secured 27.15%. A notable 15.10% of respondents expressed that they found no suitable political party, depicting the lingering political ambivalence among the populace. Trailing behind were the United Thai Nation Party with 9.95%, the Democrat Party with 4.40%, the Bhumjaithai Party capturing 3.55%, the Palang Pracharath Party at 2.05%, and Thai Sang Thai with 1.70%.
Additionally, 1.10% of respondents voiced their support for other political entities including Thai Sang Thai, Prachachat Party, Pheu Thai Ruamphalang Party, Thai Liberal Party, and Chartthaipattana Party. Lastly, 0.75% of respondents either did not know or were not interested.
This poll beautifully captures a snapshot of Thailand’s political landscape in 2024, underscoring the dynamic shifts and diverse opinions that shape the nation’s democratic journey.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra is simply riding on her family name. This isn’t true democracy!
While I get your point, she has proven herself to be a competent leader. Dynasties aren’t always bad.
Competent or not, it feels like we’re going back to the old ways. New leadership could bring fresh perspectives.
But don’t you think we should break away from family politics entirely? It’s a slippery slope!
This poll just shows how polarized we are. I mean, look at the spread of support across different candidates and parties!
Polarization isn’t necessarily bad. It means people are engaged and caring about their country’s direction.
It can lead to gridlock though. We need more unity to actually get things done.
True, unity is important, but debate and diversity of opinion are crucial for democracy.
I’m all for Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut. He’s young and has innovative ideas. Exactly what we need right now.
Young doesn’t always mean knowledgeable. Experience counts for something, you know?
But experience can also mean old and stuck in outdated ways. We need change!
Why is Pirapan so underrated? His experience is exactly what we need in these uncertain times.
Experience is good, but is he really the person to lead us into the future? We need vision, not just a safe pair of hands.
Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon still has my vote. His decisiveness is something most other candidates lack.
Decisiveness can sometimes mean authoritarianism. Look at his track record.
Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, all the way! Finally, a strong woman with principles in Thai politics!
Principles are great, but can she really stand up to the challenges? We need action.
Yes, but wouldn’t it be refreshing to have someone who’s not just about power? I think she’s a great choice.
Anutin Charnvirakul seems to be a solid choice. Honest and direct. What more do we need?
Honesty isn’t enough. We need someone who can navigate the complexities of today’s politics effectively.
All these candidates and so many people are still undecided or not interested. Shows how disconnected people feel from politics.
That’s a real issue. When people lose faith in politics, democracy suffers.
Absolutely, we need to find ways to get people more engaged. Maybe more grassroots movements?
The People’s Party seems promising. They have a good mix of young energy and seasoned experience.
Maybe, but sometimes too many cooks spoil the broth. Can they work harmoniously?
Too much focus on the big names. What about the smaller parties and independent candidates? They often have the most innovative ideas!
Smaller parties rarely have a chance though. The political system is rigged against them.
Does anyone else feel like these polls hardly ever reflect real public opinion? Just saying.
Polls are a snapshot, not a definitive answer. They give an idea of trends, not the final result.
True, but they can be insightful. Better to have some data than none.
Elections are where the real decision is made. Polls get hyped too much.
I’m genuinely curious how these polls account for the rural-urban divide. Different lifestyles, different priorities.