The Surayud administration received 2.57 out of a best possible score of 4 in the opinion poll conducted among 6,880 adults in all regions of the country from January 25-28, the National Statistical Office reported to the Cabinet's weekly meeting yesterday.

Most respondents said they saw no difference in economic and social conditions between last year, when former premier Thaksin Shinawatra was in power, and this year under the military-installed government.

More than 51 per cent said the economy remained unchanged from last year, 11 per cent saw some improvement, while 33 per cent felt it was in decline. As for the social situation, almost 52 per cent discerned no difference, 10 per cent noted some improvement, and 34 per cent felt it was getting worse.

The government scored highest in public health with 2.84, followed by 2.79 in sports and tourism, 2.74 in information and communications technology and 2.7 in corruption suppression. The five most satisfactory achievements were corruption-busting at 40 per cent, healthcare coverage at 35 per cent, drug suppression at 16.5 per cent, tourism and sports promotion at 14 per cent and national reconciliation at 12 per cent.

 Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told his Cabinet to work with greater efficiency, because he did not want them to be branded as "Young Turmeric" instead of "Old Ginger". He told his ministers the government had not much time left, so everyone must set a priority on drafting crucial laws. He asked them to present him with a list of proposed laws within a week.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation