Bangkok: The first Daily News x Matichon poll reveals a significant preference among online users for the Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate. The poll ranks Mr. Yoschanan Wongsawat, the Pheu Thai candidate, as the most favored choice for Prime Minister with 39.2% support, narrowly ahead of Mr. Nattapong Ruangpanyawut of the People's Party, who garnered 38.8%.
According to Thai News Agency, the poll, conducted under the theme "Daily News x Matichon 2026 Election Poll: Listening to the Voice of the Thai People," involved 93,391 online respondents. It posed two key questions: the preferred candidate for Prime Minister and the political party they intend to support. Despite Yoschanan Wongsawat's lead in the prime ministerial race, the People's Party has overtaken the Pheu Thai Party in overall popularity, with 45.1% of respondents indicating support for the People's Party compared to 39.5% for Pheu Thai.
The poll further ranks Ms. Sirikanya Tansakul and Mr. Jatuporn Buruspat in third place for the prime ministerial preference, each receiving 3.2%. The Thai Sang Thai Party's Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan and the Bhumjaithai Party's Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul follow in fourth place with 2.7%, while Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party stands fifth at 2.4%.
Mr. Purawich Watanasuk from Thammasat University commented on the results, highlighting the dominance of the People's Party and Pheu Thai in terms of online support. The data indicates a strong internet presence among their voter bases, as these parties received significantly more votes than their competitors.
Mr. Sitthithorn Thananithichot from Chulalongkorn University noted that the poll results reflect the ongoing competition between Pheu Thai and the People's Party in the online political arena. The close scores of Yoschanan Wongsawat and Nattapong Ruangpanyawut indicate a competitive landscape with no definitive lead.
The second phase of the Daily News-Matichon poll is scheduled for January 9-15, 2026, and will include additional questions focusing on party-list and constituency MPs, factors influencing voting decisions, and public participation in the upcoming referendum and constitutional drafting.