Army-appointed Thai PM's popularity drops further

BANGKOK, Feb 25 (Reuters) Army-appointed Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has suffered a further fall in popularity months after the removal of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, according to a poll released today.

Surayud, a former army commander-in-chief and adviser to revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, won approval from 34.8 per cent of respondents, compared with 39.2 per cent early this month and 70.5 percent in November, it showed.

Respondents expressed disappointment over Surayud's failure to bring graft charges against Thaksin.

Around half also expressed doubts that a general election promised within 12 months by the army when it booted out Thaksin in a September 19 coup would not happen this year.

The poll, by Bangkok's Assumption University, interviewed 1,373 people in the capital during February 21-24.

Chief pollster Noppadon Kannika said the poll results were of national significance since the political mood in the capital has tended to determine the fate of the country.

The poll also suggested Surayud's administration had not brought more happiness to the electorate than Thaksin's, and was underperforming its predecessor in combatting social problems such as drug abuse.

The army cited ''rampant corruption'' as one of the main reasons for its removal of Thaksin, winner of landslide election victories in 2001 and 2005.

A graft-busting panel set up to probe alleged wrongdoings committed by him, his cabinet ministers and their families has failed to produce any concrete evidence.

REUTERS SP BD1547