Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's popularity has dropped to 48.1 percent, reflecting discontent over inflation, drug problems and corruption.
The survey, conducted by Assumption University, showed the prime minister's rating at a record low since January, Business Day reported Friday. In July, Thaksin's popularity stood at 61.6 percent.
According to the same poll, the popularity of the Thai Rak Thai Party also declined to 46.3 percent ahead of general elections scheduled for January next year.
The declines reflect the Thai people's dissatisfaction over the high costs of oil and consumer goods, violence in the south, and news reports on corruption problems, especially charges by a political opponent that Thaksin and other officials manipulated stock prices for their own advantage.
The pollsters interviewed more than 5,000 people in 25 provinces.
© Copyright 2004 by United Press International
