Govt's approval rating lowest in 2 years

The poll was conducted as the government celebrated the first two years in office in August.

Covering 1,419 respondents nationwide, the poll showed that the government was given only 4.49 points out of the 10-point score. This fell by 0.38 point from the survey six months ago and is the lowest since it took office. The poll also showed that approval rating declined in all categories. In this poll, while foreign policies won the highest rating (5.04), the economic performance won the poorest score (3.98).

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra won 4.94 points, down by 0.48 point from the previous poll. She won the highest approval rating for her hard work and dedication (5.49), but the average score was pulled down by lack of decisiveness. 

Tarnishing the government's image the most are corruption, 19.9 per cent; the rice-pledging scheme, 19.3 per cent; and high cost of living which indicates failure in economic policies, 11.1 per cent. 

Asked if the government is heading the country to the right direction, only 27.7 per cent of the respondents said "Yes" while 17.1 per cent said "No". The majority, 55.2 per cent, said it was unclear. 

In the public opinions on political parties' performance, Pheu Thai Party won the highest approval rating (4.94), followed by 4.40 for coalition parties and 3.81 for Democrat Party.