Thaksin can't help Pheu Thai win next election, say respondents in national Thailand poll

Image The Nation Thailand/ANN

BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Most Thais do not think paroled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra could boost the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s popularity enough for them to win the next general election, an opinion survey found.

The survey was conducted by the National institute of Development Administration (NIDA Poll) among 1,310 respondents at least 18 years old around the country from April 9 to 11. The survey’s results were announced on Sunday.

Thaksin is seen as the patriarch of the Pheu Thai and he is also the father of Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Pheu Thai MPs and ministers and even Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin paid a visit to seek Songkran blessings from Thaksin during the long Songkran holidays.

Asked whether Thaksin’s moves and activities since his parole in February had helped improve the popularity of the Pheu Thai, the respondents replied:

40.81%: Having no effect at all

33.21%: Having negative impact on Pheu Thai’s popularity

19.54%: Having positive impact on Pheu Thai’s popularity

6.64%: No comment

Asked whether they thought Pheu Thai would win the next general election:

32.98%: Impossible

29.24%: Rather possible

21.14%: Rather impossible

12.82%: Very likely

3.82%: No comment. - The Nation Thailand/ANN