(March 30): Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra topped the list of the citizens’ choice for running the country as most locals support the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s policies, according to an opinion poll.

About 30.9% of respondents support Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as the prime minister and want her to continue leading the Southeast Asian nation, according to the March 24-27 survey by the National Institute of Development Administration or Nida. That’s an increase from the 28.8% in the previous poll conducted in December.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the leader of the opposition People’s Party, ranked second with 25.8% support, down from 29.85%. Some 23.7% of respondents said there is no person suitable as the prime minister. The poll involved 2,000 Thais aged 18 and above nationwide, Nida said.

Paetongtarn recently survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament after a two-day debate where the opposition targeted her over her father’s alleged influence on the government and its mismanagement of the economy.

Paetongtarn was picked for the prime ministerial post in August in a Parliament vote just days after the removal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, by the Constitutional Court in an ethics violation case. 

People’s Party had the highest approval rating at 37.1%, compared with the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s 28.05%, according to Nida. Some 13.75% respondents said there is no suitable political party in mind.

Uploaded by Tham Yek Lee