Bangkok: Thanaporn Sriyakul, a political analyst, highlights the dominance of "conservative" politics in Thailand, with Anutin Charnvirakul emerging as a significant figure.
According to Thai News Agency, Thanaporn commented on the Suan Dusit Poll's April Thai political index survey and the NIDA Poll's survey on the Land Bridge project. He noted these results as interesting indicators of Thai politics' direction, despite a slight decrease in overall political confidence from 3.89 to 3.79 points. Anutin's role remains under scrutiny, reflecting his status as a key figure in the conservative political faction.
Thanaporn suggests that this trend indicates a clearer conservative political base and the emergence of leaders accepted through the electoral process, contributing to long-term political legitimacy. Meanwhile, other political leaders in the government, like Deputy Prime Minister Yotsanu Wongsawat, maintain high popularity ratings, signaling a recovery in the Pheu Thai Party and regained confidence among supporters.
On the opposition side, Thanaporn believes progressive political parties face challenges in adjusting their working strategies. Despite having many MPs, their political role is not as prominent, with figures like Abhisit Vejjajiva receiving more attention.
When considering political leadership ratings, individuals from conservative factions, such as Anutin, Yotsanulok, and Abhisit, show a leading position. This indicates that the "conservative bloc" remains the core of the balance of power in Thai politics.
Regarding the land bridge project, NIDA poll results suggest that people in the South do not oppose it. Thanaporn views it as an opportunity for the government to advance a large-scale policy amidst challenging economic conditions. However, the need for more information persists among the public.
Therefore, the government must prioritize public communication, disclose complete information, and foster community participation to build understanding and trust, especially concerning the environmental impact and cost-effectiveness of projects.
Thanaporn also believes that differing opinions within the same political party are a positive sign in a democracy, reflecting internal checks and balances and underscoring the need for the government to genuinely open up space for listening to diverse opinions.