Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has expressed his resolve to elevate the government’s productivity in light of a recent public opinion poll that indicated a decline in his favorability and that of the Pheu Thai Party, resulting in their trailing behind their primary political rivals.
The National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) conducted a quarterly poll, revealing a decrease in the popularity of Mr. Srettha and the Pheu Thai Party, while indicating an upswing in the popularity of Pita Limjaroenrat and the Move Forward Party (MFP). This trend persisted despite the government’s persistent efforts to revitalize the economy.
The results of the poll, which were published on Sunday, showed a mere 12.85% of voters expressing support for the prime minister, marking a drop from 17.75% in the previous survey. Similarly, Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin, witnessed a decline in her popularity from 6% to 4.85%.
Participants in the Nida survey who were supporters of the prime minister lauded Mr. Srettha’s assertiveness in decision-making and his commitment to addressing their concerns. Meanwhile, Ms. Paetongtarn received commendation for her astute leadership, knowledge, and understanding of the country’s challenges.
During his official visit to the Northeast on Sunday, the prime minister reiterated his unwavering readiness to tackle the issues affecting the citizens of Thailand. He further indicated that this visit marked his second within a week to the region. He informed reporters on Sunday that the poll results have served as a reminder for him to intensify his efforts, stating, “The poll reflects what people think about our work. We must work harder and try to find out what the people really want and provide what they need while also solving their problems.”
He further underscored his commitment to touring the country with his cabinet to gain comprehension of and resolve the people’s concerns until the end of his term, emphasizing the government’s dedication to meeting public needs.
When questioned about potential alterations to regain public trust, Mr. Srettha emphasized that the government continually refines its strategy, irrespective of the findings of the polls, as the opinion survey serves as feedback for the government. He acknowledged that the delayed implementation of specific key government policies, due to the late approval of the budget for the current fiscal year, has indeed affected the government’s performance.
The Nida poll also revealed that MFP chief adviser Pita maintained his lead among all other prime minister candidates, with a 45.5% approval rating, a slight increase from the previous quarter’s 42.75%. Additionally, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, the leader of the United Thai Nation Party, saw his popularity nearly double from 3.55% to 6.85%.
Participants in the Nida survey expressed admiration for Mr. Pita’s political ideology and comprehensive knowledge, while they supported Mr. Pirapan for his credibility, clean image, and integrity.
As the government endeavors to address the concerns and needs of the people, the prime minister’s pledge to intensify efforts and enhance performance demonstrates a devoted commitment to serving the nation and its citizens.
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