Nattapong Ruengpanyawut (C). Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

People’s Party leader Nattapong Ruengpanyawut emerges as the top choice for prime minister, with the reformist People’s Party leading in popularity for both party-listed and constituency-based elections ahead of the upcoming 2026 general election in Thailand, as per the latest NIDA poll.

The survey, conducted nationwide with 2,500 respondents, shows 24% support for Nattapong as the preferred PM. Anutin Charnvirakul, the current caretaker prime minister and Bhumjaithai leader, follows with 20%. Meanwhile, 14% of respondents couldn't identify a suitable candidate for the top political role at this time.

Further results reveal 12% backing for former Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva's return as head of government, while 9% support Yodchanan Wongsawat, nephew of Thaksin Shinawatra and a Pheu Thai contender, for prime minister. The People's Party leads with 30% in the party-listed elections, followed by Bhumjaithai at 22%. Pheu Thai garners 15%, Democrats secure 12%, and 7% remain undecided.

In constituency-based elections, People's again leads with 30% support. Bhumjaithai follows at 22%, Pheu Thai at 15%, and Democrats at 12%, with 8% undecided. Previously, the Move Forward Party held 151 MPs as the largest camp before its 2024 dissolution by the Constitutional Court. Its successor, the People's Party, has since gained reformist momentum, reported Thai Newsroom.

Key Takeaways

• Nattapong Ruengpanyawut is the top choice for PM at 24% in the poll.

• People’s Party leads both election modes, with Bhumjaithai second.

• 2023's Move Forward dissolved, leading to People's rise in popularity.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2026-01-12

 

 

Let's hope they get an absolute majority. This hopefully will make it more difficult for the inevitable moves by the establishment's corrupt judicial arms of the CC and EC to once again do what they do to protect the wealth and power of the minority military elites and corruptly reject the the voice of the people.

30-40% never mind, as they will be pushed aside once again.

So Nattapong as PM and Anutin as Minister for Collapsing Infrastructure?

Nah !..

On 1/12/2026 at 1:39 AM, dinsdale said:

Let's hope they get an absolute majority. This hopefully will make it more difficult for the inevitable moves by the establishment's corrupt judicial arms of the CC and EC to once again do what they do to protect the wealth and power of the minority military elites and corruptly reject the the voice of the people.

It is highly likely that PP will be the number one party but also highly likely that they won't get an absolute majority. The question is, will they be able to find coalition partners, and if yes, which party/parties that will be. There is also the possibility that the other parties will make a deal among themselves to shun PP, and then form the coalition among themselves. It will be interesting. There are quite a few possibilities.

By the way, what will happen to the Senate ? Will there be a new batch of senators appointed , when the time of the current Senate is up.

We shall see how the corrupt will pull the strings to deny Thailand a wealthy future