Poll shows Thai main opposition leads ruling party in Bangkok

Popularity of the main opposition Pheu Thai Party is ahead of the ruling Democrat Party in many constituencies in Bangkok, according to a survey, Thai National News Bureau reported Friday.

The survey by the Research Centre of Dhurakij Pundit University (DPU) and the Nation Group was conducted from May 23-25 with 6,230 respondents who are eligible voter in 33 constituencies in Bangkok.

The respondents were questioned which parties they will vote for and the reasons for their decisions.

Based on the survey result, the Pheu Thai Party, affiliated with the controversial ex-premier Thaksin Shinnawatra, was leading the Democrat Party in 19 districts while the Democrat Party was gaining more supporters in five districts. Competition between the two parties in nine other districts was neck-to-neck.

Moreover, 82 percent of the respondents said they would go to cast their votes. Six percent remained unsure while the other 12 percent said they would not go.

47 percent of the respondents said they had the party to vote for in mind and would stand firm with the decision. 16 percent had decided but admitted that the decision might change. 32 percent remained undecided while five percent said they would go to vote but would choose to "vote no," or not voting any one.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in early May announced the king's approval to dissolve the parliament seven months early and that the general elections is set for July 3.

The dissolution is expected to ease the political battle between the establishment, supported by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's Democrat Party and supporters of fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in a coup in 2006.

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