Of 1,468 people in Bangkok and nearby provinces, 48.7 per cent said they could not accept a Parliament consisting solely of Thai Rak Thai Party members. A similar number, 46.9 per cent, said they believed the next House would be dictatorial, 35.5 per cent did not believe so and 17.6 per cent had no comment.

More than 60 per cent of respondents said they wanted a new election with the participation of the three former opposition parties, 25.4 per cent did not and 14.3 per cent had no comment.

Of those surveyed, 47.3 per cent were not confident that the new prime minister would be able to act independently, 20.2 per cent were confident that the new premier would be given free reign by the Thai Rak Thai Party, and 32.5 per cent had no comment. Of the total, 58.8 per cent believed Thai Rak Thai would lose popularity if there is a fight among MPs for the premier's post, while 41.2 per cent did not.

Asked to name the most suitable prime minister if the choice were open to anyone, former cabinet member Purachai Piumsombun was the top choice with the backing of 34.5 per cent of those surveyed, followed by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak with 28.6 per cent, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva with 24.3 per cent, Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai with 12.1 per cent and former House speaker Bhokin Bhalakula with 10.2 per cent.

Asked about the besieging of the Nation Group offices by protesters from the Caravan of the Poor, 43.4 per cent believed the act constituted media interference, 24.6 did not and 32 per cent had no comment.

Asked if the cancellation of Channel 9's "Cheepachorn Lok" television programme, on which Suthichai Yoon scrutinised Singapore's Temasek Holdings - the firm that bought the Shin Corp stake held by the family of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - amounted to interference in the media, 35.6 per cent said yes, 17.5 per cent said no and 46.9 per cent had no comment.

Noppadol Kannika, director of Abac Poll, said the survey reflected the public's continuing concern over the unstable political situation. In particular, he said, people are worried about the possibility of a dictatorial Parliament; who would make the most suitable prime minister; whether the new premier will be dominated by interest groups within the Thai Rak Thai Party; doubts over the sale of Shin Corp; and corruption.

Noppadol said the public also perceived Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as the centre of the country's political action, so it is inevitable that the public expects him to interfere with the next premier.

Respondents also believed Thai Rak Thai would see a major rift over who will be the next premier and would be dogged by quarrels over the next six months.