Meanwhile an opinion survey by Assumption University between February 1 and 16 showed the popularity of Thaksin dropping from 58.2 per cent four months ago to 34.2 per cent. The survey covered 6,461 people in 22 provinces.

In the Rangsit University’s poll on Wednesday and Thursday which surveyed 2,084 voters – 887 in Bangkok and 1,197 in the large provinces of Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani – more than 50 per centsaid they were dissatisfied with the government and wanted Thaksin to leave his post.

Although 53.9 per cent of respondents said they had voted for Thai Rak Thai last February, only 30.4 per cent said they would do so if an election were held today.

“Compared with the 19 million votes cast for Thai Rak Thai in 2005, the poll indicates only about 10 million would vote the same way again,” said Thaweekiat Prasertcharoensuk, deputy dean of the College of Social Innovation at Rangsit University.

About 45 per cent said they were satisfied with the government’s administration; about 55 per cent said they were dissatisfied. Roughly the same percentages said they wanted Thaksin to remain (44.5 per cent) and to leave (55.5 per cent).

In Bangkok, 49.3 per cent said they wanted Thaksin to stay, and 50.7 per cent said they wanted him to go. In the provinces the figures were 41 per cent and 59 per cent.

More than 80 per cent of those who wanted Thaksin to stay said they wanted him to have a Cabinet reshuffle. In contrast, some 60 per cent of those who wanted him out said they wanted him to resign, and about 40 per cent said they wanted him to dissolve the House.