Rukchanok outshines People's Party leader Natthaphong: poll

People's Party lawmaker Rukchanok Srinork has emerged as the most prominent opposition figure in the latest Suan Dusit Poll, outperforming her party leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, in public recognition.

The survey, conducted by Suan Dusit University, found Rukchanok leading opposition popularity at 30.12%, ahead of Natthaphong at 24.11%.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, followed closely with 23.60%, while People's Party MPs Sirikanya Tansakul and Parit Wacharasindhu recorded 11.62% and 10.55%, respectively.

The nationwide survey polled 2,054 respondents through online and field interviews between June 29 and July 3.

It also showed Thailand's overall political index rising slightly to 3.69 points in June, up from 3.66 in May.

Among the key indicators, respondents gave the highest score to the opposition's performance, at 4.17 points, while the government's handling of drug problems and influential figures received the lowest rating, at 3.03 points.

On the government side, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul remained the most prominent figure, leading at 35%.

He was followed by Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas at 27.84%, Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat at 16.11%, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow at 13.02%, and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun at 8.03%.

The most popular government policy was "Thai Help Thai Plus", selected by 62.37% of respondents, followed by the increase in the state welfare card budget (23.91%) and efforts to address Thai-Cambodian border issues (13.72%).

The opposition activities most recognised by respondents were scrutiny of the "TH-AI Passport" project (44.14%), the debate on the 2027 budget bill (35.58%), and monitoring of corruption cases (20.28%).