Democrats lead the popularity: a survey

The opinion survey was conducted on 1,507 respondents in 16 selected provinces representing eight proportionate zones on November 16 to 19, following the completion of candidacy registration.

The overwhelming majority of 95.9 per cent are aware of December 23 as the balloting day and 92.4 per cent plan to cast their ballots.

About 51 per cent have already picked their favourite candidates.

The list of factors influencing the voter's judgement include campaign polices (29.6 per cent), individual candidates (23 per cent), party leaders (17.3 per cent and party's records (17.3 per cent).

Some 58 per cent said they would vote for candidates from the same party for the direct voting.

For the partylists, the Democrats and the PPP are top two favourites with the combined 67.3 per cent. About 13,5 per cent remain undecided.

Other major parties have marginal supports - Chart Thai (7.4 per cent), Puea Pandin (3.3 per cent), Matchima Thipataya (1.9 per cent), Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana (1.2 per cent) and Pracharaj (0.9 per cent). Small parties have attracted about 3.5 per cent.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is in the lead for the position of prime minister, attracting 46.4 per cent. PPP leader Samak Sundaravej has trailed behind as a distance runner up with 22.9 per cent. Banharn Silapaarcha of Chart Thai receives 5.8 per cent and Suwit Khunkitti of Puea Pandin gets 2.9 per cent.

Chettha Thanajaro of Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana has 1.7 per cent, beating Prachai Leophairatana of Matchima Thipataya and Sanoh Thienthong of Pracharaj, both getting 1.2 per cent each.

Some 14 per cent remain undecided on who should be the next prime minister and 3.5 per cent spreaded for leaders of small parties.

The Nation