Pheu Thai outshines Democrats
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The ruling Pheu Thai Party has beaten the opposition Democrat Party in almost all areas in a recent opinion survey on their strengths and weaknesses.
A majority of 63.8 per cent of the respondents to the Abac Poll was convinced that Pheu Thai had better public policies.
Two-thirds praised Pheu Thai for responding quickly to people’s problems, while 58.9 per cent frowned on the Democrats for indulging only in politicking.
On dependability, 54.3 per cent chose Pheu Thai while 45.7 per cent sided with the Democrats.
On attention to people’s problems, Pheu Thai scored 53.7 per cent to the Democrats’ 46.3 per cent.
The two major parties were closer in their openness to public scrutiny, with 50.3 per cent for Pheu Thai and 49.7 per cent for the Democrats.
While 68.5 per cent of respondents felt Pheu Thai was wrestling with internal fighting and conflicts, only 31.5 per cent believed the Democrats suffered from this problem.
But Pheu Thai was better prepared to select a political heir, according to 54.2 per cent of the respondents.
Almost 71 per cent thought that the Democrat Party would not be able to nominate anyone other than its current leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to the post of prime minister.
Only 29.3 per cent said the party had other qualified candidates such as Apirak Kosayodhin, Korn Chatikavanij and Chuan Leekpai.
Pheu Thai had more promising choices for future premier, such as Priewphan Damapong, Sudarat Keyuraphan, Chalerm Yoobamrung and Chaturon Chaisaeng, according to 46.8 per cent.
Noppadon Kannika, director of Abac Poll Research Centre, suggested that |the two rivals should focus on useful public policies in competing against each other.
“In contests for posts within their parties, they should use morality, knowledge and ability as the criteria for choosing their leaders,” he said.
The survey drew 2,073 responses in 17 provinces from people over 18 years of age across the country. About 90 per cent of them follow political news.
