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Published on February 1, 2008

The opinion survey was started on January 20 before Samak's appointment. The 10-day poll involved 3,506 respondents from 27 provinces.

The poll found the top 10 attributes people want in Cabinet members are honesty (82 per cent), competence (71 per cent), quick action (69 per cent), decisiveness (64 per cent), responsibility (61 per cent), altruism (59 per cent), sincerity (52 per cent), to avoid being a bully (45 per cent), remaining in touch with the people (44.8 per cent) and tolerance (44.2 per cent).

The respondents urged Samak and his ministers to emulate the top 10 attributes of Samak's two predecessors, Thaksin Shinawatra and Surayud Chulanont. Thaksin's was hailed for decisiveness and quick action, drug suppression, solving economic problems, good management, providing scholarships and staying in touch with the people. Surayud was liked for his honesty, caution and control, kindness, perseverance, capability and decisiveness, being a royalist and fairness.

Respondents who voted for the coalition and those rooting for the opposition have different expectations. On a scale of one-to-10, those who voted for the coalition rated 5.15 in tipping the economy to improve while opposition voters came out at 3.96.

Asked if the government would last a full term, the rating was 4.7 (pro-government) to 3.06 (opposition voters).

The Nation