Most people think the cabinet should be reshuffled, especially the Agriculture and Cooperatives and Commerce ministries, according to an opinion survey carried out by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida).
The poll was conducted among 1,251 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education and income throughout the country on Nov 8-9. They were asked whether there should be a cabinet reshuffle before the election, tentatively set for late 2018.
A majority of the respondents, 68.1%, said they wanted to see a cabinet reshuffle because the existing cabinet is not capable of solving problems. They thought that people with new visions and policies should be brought into the cabinet to change the country for the better.
Only 16.1% disagreed with a reshuffle, arguing it would disrupt the implementation of various policies, while 15.19% were uncertain or had no comment.
Asked which ministries should be targeted for change, 20.3% named the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, with the Commerce Ministry (16%), the Finance Ministry (7.2%), the Education Ministry (6%) and the Interior Ministry (5.2%) also being mentioned. Of respondents, 16.8% were uncertain or had no answer.
When asked about the most important problems to tackle before the election, a majority -- 53.2% -- cited the economy; 31.1% people's welfare and livelihood; 30.2% agriculture; 15.28% corruption; 13.7% drugs and crime; 12% education; 8.2% conflicts in society; and 7.68% national reform.
Meanwhile, Panitan Wattanayagorn, an adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, on Sunday backed the six questions posed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Mr Panitan said the questions were meant as direct communication between the prime minister and the public to prepare for the final stage of the government's roadmap to a general election, not a move to pave the way for the government to retain its grip on power, as critics have alleged.
The questions have drawn flak from many politicians who see them as a move by the regime to test the waters in pursuing its political interests.
Alongkorn Ponlaboot, former deputy chairman of the now-defunct National Reform Steering Assembly, said the prime minister had the right to seek peoples' views.
Everyone is free to answer the questions or disagree with them, though all sides should avoid stirring up conflict and instead respect those who hold different views, Mr Alongkorn said.
Suriyasai Katasila, deputy dean of Rangsit University's Social Innovation College, said the six questions demonstrate the regime's distrust of politicians, though the regime had done nothing to win back the trust of the public.
In Nakhon Ratchasima, provincial governor Wichian Chantharanothai said more than 87,000 residents have turned up to give their answers to the questions.
Gen Prayut's questions are:
Do we need new political parties or new politicians for the people to consider in the next election?
Will the old politicians or political parties bring about national reforms and comply with the national strategy?
Does the NCPO have the right to support a political party?
Do people foresee a better future because of the government's work over the past three years?
Did previous governments show efficiency and good governance, or contribute to long-term development?
And why have political parties and politicians come out to discredit the government at an unusually large scale during this period?