The director of Assumption University's Abac Poll, Dr Noppadol Kannika, rejected accusations from Senator Samak Sundaravej that the survey was political interference.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra claimed last week that an influential person was plotting to topple him.

Abac took a snap survey over the weekend asking respondents to speculate about the identity of the alleged plotter. Noppadol rejected Samak's criticism, saying the survey merely aimed to get a balanced picture of people's views.

The intention of the survey was to help build a clean and transparent society, he added.

However, he said he would think about Samak's comments that Abac Poll lacked etiquette.

"But, maybe it's the senator himself who does not have etiquette. Being a senator he must be neutral and not take sides with a political party. His outspokenness reflects the fact that some senators act in favour of politicians in the government,'' Noppadol said.

He also dismissed Samak's accusations that Abac Poll's survey was useless and said Samak should ask what the prime minister's motives were.

"The PM's statements are not useful to society. They have created confusion and a rift,'' he said.

Samak's comments also interfered in the public's right to participate in politics, he said.