CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – Weeks before the 8 February general election, the People’s Party (PP) held a clear lead in nationwide and regional opinion polls across key policy areas and voter preferences.
Nationwide survey shows PP ahead on policy
A Suan-Dusit poll by Suan Dusit University of 2,586 respondents across the country, conducted from 13 to 16 January, found the People’s Party was rated best in four out of five central policy areas. In education policy, it received 43.93%, in anti-corruption 39.89%, in politics and security 38.14% and in agricultural policy 35.82%.
Pheu Thai led only in one field: on cost of living and household income it reached 35.63%, putting it ahead of the People’s Party in this single category.
Party preferences and party-list vote intentions
According to the Suan-Dusit data, if the election had been held at the time of the survey, 34.11% of participants would have chosen the People’s Party on the national party list. Pheu Thai would have received 18.37%.
A similar pattern emerged for constituency seats, with 33.14% of those surveyed saying they wanted to elect PP candidates in their districts, while 19.49% opted for Pheu Thai contenders.
Natthaphong leads preferred prime minister rankings
On the question of preferred candidate for prime minister, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People’s Party ranked first with 34.34%. He was followed by Yodchanan Wongsawat of Pheu Thai with 19.91% and incumbent premier Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party with 16.13%.
Chiang Mai poll mirrors national trend
Parallel trends appeared in the northern province of Chiang Mai, where a Nida Poll of 1,067 voters, carried out from 9 to 14 January, confirmed the strong position of the People’s Party at regional level. In the prime ministerial preference question there, Natthaphong gained 31.40% support.
Yodchanan reached 19.40% in Chiang Mai, while Anutin stood at 15.65%, producing a provincial ranking that matched the national tendency.
Strong PP support in Chiang Mai constituencies
For constituency candidates in Chiang Mai, 37.39% of respondents said they intended to vote for PP members of parliament. Pheu Thai followed with 31.68%, and Bhumjaithai with 13.50%.
On the party list in Chiang Mai, the People’s Party again recorded 37.39%, while Pheu Thai received 30.08% and Bhumjaithai 14.06%.
Clear starting position before election day
The combined data from the two surveys indicated that the People’s Party had secured a strong starting position shortly before the election date, both nationally and in key provinces such as Chiang Mai. The figures also underlined Pheu Thai’s particular strength on cost-of-living issues.
“The polls paint a clear picture: new faces, new hopes, new majorities. But are these numbers the beginning of real change – or just a moment before the next political earthquake?”
said Bangkok Post, source commentary.
“Will the trend hold until election day? Or will Thailand once again see opinion polls promise something that power plays later take back?”
said Bangkok Post, source commentary.