Daughter of ex Thai PM Thaksin extends pre-election poll lead

FILE PHOTO: Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (2nd R), who was deposed in a bloodless 2006 coup, poses for a family photo on the graduation day of his daughter Paetongtarn (C) at a Bangkok university July 10, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The youngest daughter of billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra remains Thailand's top choice to become its next leader, according to an opinion poll, with more than double the score of incumbent and nearest rival Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 36, whose father Thaksin and aunt Yingluck both led popularly elected governments toppled in coups, was the top choice for 34% of respondents in a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA).