Poll finds PM Thaksin most admired -- and most disappointing

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was found in a recent poll to be Thailand's most admired person and at the same time the most disappointing person for the year 2005.

According to a Bangkok University poll conducted among 1,414 residents of Bangkok aged over 22 years, 31 per cent said Mr. Thaksin is the most admired person of the year, compared to 49 per cent who find the prime minister as the most disappointing person.

Well-known actress and television host Kataleeya McIntosh was found by 11 per cent of the respondents as the second most disappointing person, while 8 per cent who put Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook third on this year's list of most disappointing persons.

Media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul ranks second on the list of most admired persons, given 15 per cent of the respondents who said so, compared to 6 per cent who placed him fourth on the list of most disappointing persons.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin ranks third on the list of most admirable persons with 6 per cent of respondents.

Meanwhile, 25 per cent of the respondents indicated that they considered the birth of HRH Prince Tipangkorn Rasmichoti, who was born to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasmi on 29 April,as the most joyous news of the year,followed by the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's ascension to the Throne (17 per cent) and His Majesty's birthday (14 per cent).

The Bangkok Poll disclosed 65 per cent of its respondents found the brutal killing of two Royal Thai Marines in Narathiwat the saddest news of the year, followed by the killing of the father of karate gold medalist Yanisa Torrattanawattana by her drug-addicted brother (9 per cent) and flashfloods of Chiang Mai and southern provinces (6 per cent).

According to 12 per cent of the respondents, the Administrative Court is considered the most admired agency, followed by the Public Health Ministry (11 per cent) and the Pavena Hongsakul Foundation (8 per cent).

The Education Ministry is found to be the most disappointing agency according to 19 per cent of the repondents, followed by the state-owned power utility EGAT Plc (17 per cent) and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (8 per cent).

A lowered cost of living is the most desired New Year's gift from the Government,according to 37 per cent of the respondents, followed by a transparent and uncorrupt administration (22 per cent) and disclosure of truthful information to members of the public (7 per cent).

--TNA 2005-12-20

Well-known actress and television host Kataleeya McIntosh was found by 11 per cent of the respondents as the second most disappointing person

This is because she had a baby out of wedlock right?