Gain in support for Democrats : Poll

Out of a maximum 10, the government received 4.37 points for legitimacy while Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat got 4.6 points for leadership.

Many voiced concern that political rifts might escalate.

Of 3,667 respondents polled in 18 provinces, 43.8 per cent said they were rallying behind the Democrat Party while about 39 per cent voiced support for the People Power Party.

Democrat supporters comprised students, self-employed professionals and businessmen, company employees and retired women.

The supporters of the main coalition party included workers, farmers, the unemployed and civil servants.

Divided by geographical locations, the Democrats enjoyed strong support in the South (83.1 per cent) and the central region (47.6 per cent).

The People Power strongholds were in the North (58.2 per cent) and the Northeast (48.3 per cent).

Bankok was almost split with 44 per cent in support of the Democrats and 40 per cent in favour of the main coalition party.

About 30 per cent of the voters for coalition parties said they would switch their loyalty to the main opposition party. About 23 per cent said they would opt for the main coalition party instead of smaller coalition partners.

The shifting loyalty is seen as a sign of growing discontent with the coalition alliance, which has failed to assume responsibility for the violent crackdown.

The numbers of supporters and opponents for the People's Alliance for Democracy were equal, around 34 per cent. The remainder of about 32 per cent said they neither opposed nor supported the PAD.

The concentration of PAD supporters was highest in the South (61.9 per cent), the central region (35.6 per cent) and Bangkok (34.9 per cent).

PAD opponents were mostly located in the North (46.6 per cent) and the Northeast (39.1 per cent).

Government spokesman Natthawut Saikua dismissed speculation that Prime Minister Somchai had bargained with Army chief General Anupong Paochinda asking him for two months to complete his work before stepping down.

Natthawut said he found no justification why Somchai had to ask for Anupong's permission to stay in office.

People Power MP Kudep Saikrajang said rumour-mongers had concocted a false tale that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had forced Somchai to cling to power.

Kudep said he could not understand the argument linking Somchai's staying in the job and Thaksin's chance of getting asylum in Britain.

Somchai, as brother-in-law, was in the best position to guarantee safety for Thaksin and his position as prime minister should hurt rather than boost the chance for asylum, he said.

He said he viewed the demand for Somchai to step down as a decision made under pressure rather than an articulate move.

The military leaders, including the Army chief, were under a lot of pressure to comment in haste, hence leading to the call for Somchai's resignation which might not have been made if the October 7 incident was properly reviewed, he said.

The blame appeared a one-sided attack on the police for the crackdown but failed to factor in the siege on Parliament, he said.

Democrat MP Sathit Pitudecha reiterated his party's call for House dissolution to pre-empt the political rifts from spiralling out of control. He said the country was on the brink of ruin if the government tried to cling to power.