People's Party Leads Thailand Poll as Bhumjaithai Slips

The People's Party has retained a clear lead in Thailand's latest quarterly political popularity survey, while party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut remains the public's top choice for prime minister, according to a new NIDA Poll.

The survey, released on Sunday, found that 35.40% of respondents supported the People's Party, well ahead of Pheu Thai at 18.44% and the governing Bhumjaithai Party at 12.08%.

The Democrat Party ranked fourth with 9.80%, while 7.64% said there was no political party they considered suitable. Thai Pakdee received 4.68%, followed by the United Thai Nation Party at 2.16%. Thai Sang Thai and Rak Muang Thai each received 1.80%, Seri Ruam Thai 1.72%, and the Economic Party 1.52%.

Natthaphong remains top choice for PM

Asked whom they would support as prime minister if choosing today, 24.72% named Natthaphong, putting him in first place. Another 19.80% said they could not identify anyone suitable for the post, making that the second-most common response.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Bhumjaithai ranked third at 13.76%, followed by Pheu Thai's Yodchanan Wongsawat at 11.28% and Democrat Party figure Abhisit Vejjajiva at 9.60%. Thai Pakdee leader Warong Dechgitvigrom received 5.68%, while Thai Sang Thai leader Sudarat Keyuraphan received 2.64%.

Bhumjaithai support falls from earlier in year

The latest figures show a notable decline in support for Bhumjaithai compared with NIDA's earlier quarterly surveys. In the first-quarter poll conducted in March, Bhumjaithai had 26.60% party support, compared with 35.80% for the People's Party. Anutin was also close behind Natthaphong in the prime minister preference poll, receiving 29.40% against Natthaphong's 30.60%.

By the second-quarter survey conducted from 29 June to 2 July, Bhumjaithai's party support had fallen to 17.00%, while the People's Party stood at 34.80% and Pheu Thai at 16.84%. Natthaphong led the prime minister preferences at 26.08%, followed by Anutin at 21.68%.

In the latest poll, the People's Party has remained broadly stable at 35.40%, while Pheu Thai has risen to second place at 18.44% and Bhumjaithai has fallen to 12.08%. Natthaphong's personal support has also declined from 30.60% in the first quarter to 24.72%, although he remains the most popular named choice for prime minister.

Nationwide survey of 2,500 people

NIDA Poll, operated by the National Institute of Development Administration, surveyed 2,500 people aged 18 and above nationwide between 18 and 23 September. Respondents were drawn from different regions, education levels, occupations and income groups using NIDA Poll's multi-stage sampling system. The survey was conducted by telephone and reported a 97% confidence level.