The survey by Assumption University found that Thaksin received a popular rating of 15.8 per cent compared with 70.5 per cent for his successor Surayud Chu-lanont.

The remaining 13.7 per cent of respondents had no comment to the question of whom they favour between Surayud and Thaksin.

The study questioned 4,195 voters from 18 provinces from November 18-25. The results were announced yesterday.

Breaking down results to regions, it was found that Surayud had less than 50 per cent of support from respondents in northern provinces, which are considered strongholds of Thaksin and the Thai Rak Thai Party.

The survey found that 48.8 per cent of respondents favoured Surayud, compared with 14.6 per cent who

supported Thaksin.

The remaining 36.6 per cent had no comment.

But Thaksin received the strongest support from north-eastern provinces, where 30.1 per cent of respondents favoured him, compared with 57.2 per cent support for Surayud. The remaining 12.7 per cent made no choice.

Surayud received the strongest support from southern provinces, where 81.9 per cent of respon-dents backed him compared with 15.4 per cent for Thaksin.

The interim prime minister received 68.6 per cent and 69.8 per cent of support from central provinces and Bangkok respectively, compared with 8.2 per cent and 18.5 per cent for Thaksin.

The survey found that 67.8 per cent of respondents believed Thaksin's travel to countries near Thailand would affect the political atmosphere in the country.

Up to 62.7 per cent of respondents said Thaksin should quit politics.