Thai PM gets 6 out of 10 for performance

BANGKOK, May 2 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra received 6.04 scores on average, out of 10, for her performance in April 2012, an improvement from 5.90 in March and February and even 5.48 in January, according to a recent survey. The Political Index Survey conducted by Rajabhat University Suan Dusit from April 25-30, during which 7,213 people nationwide were randomly interviewed, showed that out of the index's 25 categories, Yincluck were scored higher than 5 in 18 areas, including her government's overall performance (5.68), education (5.52), drug suppression (5.37), better wages (5.12), people's standard of living (5.05) and national unity. The survey, which was publicly released Wednesday, indicated that the Pheu Thai premier were scored below 5 in seven areas, including national security, unemployment, organised crime, poverty, rising goods prices, politicians' performance and graft. Meanwhile, another survey conducted by Bangkok University which polled 63 economists from 26 organisations during April 20-25, 2012 gave the Pheu Thai Party-led administration a low 3.83 on average, out of 10 scores, for its overall economic performance, with the lowest score, 3.03, going to its management of energy prices and 3.17 going to its handling of the rising goods prices. According to the Bangkok Poll, the highest score of 5 was for the Yingluck government's management of the country's gross domestic product or GDP, a key economic growth indicator. When asked to name the government's most successful achievement over the past year, most economists pointed to its war on drugs, followed by its first-time car buyer tax rebate and its 30-baht health care schemes. (TNA)