Thaksin `person Of The Year' 2003

Thaksin `Person of the Year'

Hangthong case best news story

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been overwhelmingly voted ``Outstanding Politician'' and ``Person of the Year'' by respondents to the latest Abac poll.

Mr Thaksin received 86.4% support in the outstanding politician category, with Deputy Prime Minister Purachai Piumsombun a long second (5.6%) and Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan (2.6%).

The prime minister also topped the person of the year list with 82.5%, with 3.6% support for second-placed Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunan, deputy director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science whose profile was heightened by the revival of the criminal inquiry into Hangthong Thammawattana's death. Third was Gen Prem Tinnasulanonda, chairman of the Privy Council (2.1%).

Respondents were drawn from Bangkok and major provinces such as Ayutthaya, Udon Thani, Chiang Mai and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The outstanding opposition politician was Democrat deputy leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, with 39.5%. Trailing close behind was former Democrat leader Chuan Leekpai (39.2%).

The most avidly followed news story was the Hangthong investigation (12.4%); the government's anti-drug crackdown (9.3%), the Iraq war (9.2%), the torching of the Thai embassy in Cambodia in January (8.2%), the campaign against influential figures (6.2%) and the Chuwit Komolvisit massage parlour bribe (6%).

The government's best known achievements were the drug crackdown (19.9%), the campaign against influential figures (11.8%) and economic improvement policies (9.7%). Most admired ministries were the Interior (39.7%), Public Health (19%) and Finance (7.5%).

--Bangkok Post