BANGKOK: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatras popularity surged in the latest survey as the new Thai government approved its version of a cash handout programme.
The daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra secured an approval rating of 31.35% in the quarterly survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, up from 4.85% in the last poll.
The institute, which is a graduate school in Bangkok, conducted the poll between Sept 16 and 23 from every region in the country and covered some 2,000 respondents.
Paetongtarns administration, which took office earlier this month, has started the first phase of a cash stimulus programme to help revive sagging growth in Southeast Asias second-largest economy.
Last week, she said there would be many more economic stimuli, with the next stage of the cash giveaway seen to cover about 26 million people.
The Thai leader also led efforts for assistance and restoration in the flood-ravaged northern provinces in the past few weeks. Paetongtarn said the planned minimum wage increase to 400 baht (US$12.40) per day should be implemented within the year.
The PM said in a statement after the survey results that her government will work even harder to solve Thailands problems and improve the lives of its people
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the leader of the countrys main opposition, the Peoples Party, came second with 22.9%, according to the survey released on Sunday. The survey on potential leaders also showed that 23.5% of respondents saw no suitable candidate for the nations top leadership position.