Thaksin to have significant role in Pheu Thai ruling party – Poll

In an opinion poll, released today, most respondents (50.38%) say they believe that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, now on parole, will have advisory political roles in the Pheu Thai party and 26% anticipate that this will significantly reduce the party’s popularity.

The opinion poll on the Corrections Department’s power and politics, taken since Thaksin’s release last Sunday, was conducted by telephone by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) from February 20^th to 22^nd. 1,310 respondents aged over 18 throughout the country responded.

Most respondents believe that dissatisfaction over Thaksin’s release on parole, subsequent to his conviction on corruption charges, will not lead to street demonstrations.

Regarding the power of the Corrections Department, most respondents (40%) disagree with its authority to either reduce sentences for or grant…