The National Council for Peace and Order's performance in its first month of governing Thailand has received an approval rate of 8.82 out of 10 in an opinion survey conducted by Suan Dusit Poll.
The poll was conducted on 1,614 people throughout the country between June 17 and 21.
Asked what they thought about the overall performance of the NCPO one month after coming to power, 72.79% of respondents said the country has become peaceful and without quarrels; 69.6% said the military junta have been able to solve several important problems including payments to farmers for their pledged rice and a reduction in the cost of living; and 65.44% wanted the NCPO to continue to take care of the country until everything is properly in place.
Asked what they see as the outstanding work of the NCPO, 49.5% pointed to its proper, expedient and decisive use of power; 32.35% were full of praise for activities to promote and return happiness to the people; and 18.63% said the council can effectively communicate with the people on all developments.
On their satisfaction with the NCPO, 50.84% of the respondents said they are highly satisfied, 39.57% moderately satisfied, 5.27% not quite satisfied because actions have been taken to only solve immediate problems while 4.32% said they are not satisfied at all because the NCPO's power seizure is undemocratic and their rights and liberty have been restricted.
Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha (Photo by Kitja Aphichonrojarek)
Meanwhile, another opinion survey conducted by the National Institute for Development Administration (Nida) shows a large proportion of respondents want the NCPO to nominate Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha for prime minister of a planned provisional government.
The survey was carried out on June 20 and 21 on 1,259 people across the country to gauge their opinion on who the NCPO should nominate for prime minister.
Most of the respondents, 41.30%, said the NCPO should nominate Gen Prayuth, the army and NCPO chief, for the post.
This was followed by 8.5% for two-time former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, 2.38% for former Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan, 1.43% for former finance minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula and 1.19% for former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
Altogether 5.24% of the respondents pointed to the following people as being suitable for the post: Palakorn Suwannarath, Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, Kasem Wattanachai, Surakiart Sathirathai, Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck Shinawatra, Suthep Thaugsuban, Abhisit Vejjajiva, Purachai Piemsonboon, Chadchat Sittipunt, Chuvit Kamolvisit, Chuan Leekpai and Gen Surayud Chulanont.
A small number of respondents, 3.1%, said they want whoever is honest and able to solve the country's problems and he or she should be elected in a democratic system.
Meanwhile, 10.33% said they do not see anybody suitable for the post while 26.56% had no answer.