News Website Isaan Poll Names Top Figures, Anutin Ranks Fourth
Khon Kaen University's midyear poll of northeastern residents named top figures across 14 categories, with Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul ranking fourth for Prime Minister of the Year. The survey of 1,082 people across 20 provinces will be f
The Isaan Poll (E-Saan Poll) from Khon Kaen University's Faculty of Economics released its midyear 2025 awards survey, gauging public opinion across the northeastern region on outstanding individuals, organizations, and accomplishments in 14 categories. The survey sampled 1,082 residents aged 18 and over across 20 northeastern provinces using open-ended questions with no preset choices, allowing respondents freely to nominate candidates deserving year-end awards. A second survey will be conducted late in the year to finalize full-year results.
Faculty Dean Associate Professor Dr. Sutin Wienvivatana explained that the poll revealed the four most-nominated candidates in each category, listed alphabetically without disclosing vote tallies. For Prime Minister of the Year, nominees include Natthaphong Ruengpanjawitthee, Pitha Limcharoen, Professor Yashanan Wongswadee, and Anutin Charnvirakul.
Other major categories included Ministry of the Year (Finance, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Labor, and Education); Organization of the Year (Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Charoen Pokphand, PTT, and Mirror Foundation); Social Activist of the Year (Kan Jompluang, Bin Banloeruethit, Boom Panadda, and Ice Ratchanok); and News Outlet of the Year (Khao Sod, Daily News, Thai Rath, and Matichon).
Electronics categories included TV stations (Channel 3 HD, Channel 7 HD, Thai Rath TV, and One 31); music and entertainment groups; male and female actors (including James Jirayu, Bella Ranee, Yaya Urassaya, and Fern Pimchanok); male and female singers; and male and female news anchors. Easterners of whom the region is proud included singers Tay Tawan and Monchan Kaenchan, and actress Lisa Lalisa.
The survey reflects northeastern public sentiment in the first half of 2025 toward individuals, organizations, and media in governance, social benefit, news, and entertainment—recognizing those with sustained accomplishments, credibility, and enduring recognition rather than brief notoriety. The results represent only the midyear survey and do not constitute final year-end conclusions.
