BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is falling further behind his main election rival, the daughter of popular billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, a new opinion poll showed, as the nation awaited the dissolution of parliament ahead of elections.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s support jumped 10 points to 38.2% in a survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) published at the weekend, while Prayuth trailed in third place with 15.65%.
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Opposition politician, Pita Limjaroenrat, who heads the Move Forward party, received support from 15.75% of respondents.
Thailand is expected to hold an election in May, which will continue a long-running political battle between the Shinawatra family and conservative pro-military establishment.
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Paetongtarn, as leader of the main opposition Phue Thai party, has been campaigning across the country with its candidates. Ung Ing, as she is known by her nickname, is the party’s nominee for prime minister.
The NIDA Poll, which surveyed 2,000 voters across Thailand in March, also showed that nearly 50% of respondents said they would back parliamentary candidates from Pheu Thai.
Deputy Prime Minster Wissanu Krea-ngam said the Royal Gazette would announce the dissolution of parliament later on Monday.
Under electoral rules, the race must be held between 45 to 60 days after parliament is dissolved.
