Since relevant agencies have failed to publish the electoral Royal Decree to announce a date for the national elections, uncertainty over whether the vote will even be held has become a top concern, a Suan Dusit poll learned recently.
Conducted on 1,071 respondents from January 15 to 19, the survey found that 48.46 per cent ranked election uncertainty as their top worry, saying they were afraid it might not happen at all.
The government said last month that the Royal Decree will be published on January 2, but recently said the election will be postponed by a whole month to March 24, as it may clash with the coronation ceremony in May.
The election was initially scheduled for February 24.
This move has provoked pro-election groups to take to the streets and demand clarity. They are also asking for an election to be organised quickly.
Coming in at No 2 on the list of top 10 political concerns right now is conflict and turmoil. Some 40.9 per cent of the respondents said they were worried that division and disagreements would lead to unrest.
More than a third, or 36.69 per cent, said they were worried about recession and a drop in investor confidence.
Corruption, including poll fraud, and government instability came in fourth and fifth with 30.63 and 24.18 per cent respectively.
The five other concerns were hunger for power, Thailand’s reputation, the impact politics is having on people’s quality of life, deprivation of rights and pseudo democracy, as well as fake news.
Meanwhile, a survey conducted by NIDA on 2,500 people between January 2 and 15 found that junta leader General Prayut Chan-o-cha was preferred as the next premier (26.2 per cent).
Coming in second was Pheu Thai’s Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan with 22.40 votes, while former PM and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva came in third with 11.56 per cent. The new, young pro-democracy politician, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who is leader of the Future Forward Party, came in fourth with 9.60 per cent.
Other politicians ranking from fifth to the 10th place were Seree Ruam Thai Party leader Pol General Sereepisut Temeeyaves, Pheu Thai’s Chatchart Sittiphan, Democrat’s former leader and ex-PM Chuan Leekpai, Pheu Thai leader Viroj Pao-in, Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul and incumbent Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam.
