The Thai Political Index fell slightly to 3.52 points out of 10 in October, down from 3.56 in September, with opposition performance receiving the highest rating and the government’s handling of drugs and influential figures scoring the lowest, according to a Suan Dusit Poll survey.
The poll, conducted by Suan Dusit University among 2,036 respondents nationwide from Oct 27-30 through online and field interviews, assessed 25 political indicators.
Opposition performance topped the rankings with an average score of 4.30, followed by public participation at 4.07, civil rights and liberties and national security at 4.03 each and educational development at 3.93.
The lowest-rated indicator was the government’s efforts to tackle drugs and influential figures, scoring 2.88, followed by anti-corruption and transparency at 3.08, unemployment at 3.14, product prices at 3.15 and poverty alleviation at 3.22.
Asked which government politician had performed most prominently, 33.18% of respondents said none stood out. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul came second with 20.12%, followed by Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat (18.87%), Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas (17.77%) and Energy Minister Akanat Promphan (10.06%).
Among opposition figures, People’s Party (PP) MP Rukchanok Srinork topped the list with 28.93%, followed by party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut (21.64%), Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (18.80%), PP MP Rangsiman Rome (17.91%) and PP MP Parit Wacharasindhu (12.72%).
The government’s most popular initiative was the Thais Help Thais Plus co-payment scheme, favoured by 50.30% of respondents. For the opposition, scrutiny of government performance and budget spending was the most appreciated activity, cited by 39.32%.