The survey by Bangkok University shows that the government of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont scored only 5.27 out of 10 for its overall performance.

Last week, Assumption Univer-sity released survey results which showed support for the government had been reduced to just 48.5 per cent, compared with the 90 per cent it enjoyed before the New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok.

The survey by Bangkok University was carried out in a so-called multi-stage sampling of 1,082 respondents in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan from December 30 to January 4. It was carried out to mark the government's three months in power.

The survey results, which were announced yesterday, show that the government scored only 5.57 on a scale of 10 for its political and administration performance.

On security affairs, the government scored 5.31 out of 10, while it scored 5.24 and 5.23 on foreign affairs and social affairs respectively.

Economic performance was the area in which the government scored the least, earning a rating of only 5.02 out of 10. The government's economic chief, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula, has come under criticism on several issues.

Worse still, the biggest portion of respondents, 43.1 per cent, believed that the country's situation has not changed over the past three months. Of the remaining respondents, 32 per cent said that it had improved while 24.9 per cent said the situation had worsened.

The biggest portion of respondents, 25.3 per cent, said the government did not deserve praise on any issue.

The second biggest portion, 24.2 per cent, said the government deserved commendation for its integrity and transparency.

The survey found that 27.3 per cent, the biggest portion of respondents, wanted the government to improve its speed and efficiency in tackling problems. Another 22.4 per cent said the government needed to be more decisive, while 16.9 per cent said the government should improve its communications with the public.

When asked to name Cabinet members they knew least or had rarely heard about, most respondents cited Information and Communications Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom (36.2 per cent), Natural Resources and Environment Minister Kasem Sanidwong na Ayudhaya (35.2 per cent) and Science and Technology Minister Yongyuth Yuthavong (34.3 per cent). Each respondent could name more than one Cabinet minister.

Meanwhile, Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy, said he could not give a grade to the Surayud government for its performance over the past three months.

"So far, the government has carried out only a pre-test, not a real test, so it should get only a 'waiting' grade," Suriyasai said.

He said several issues were complicated and would take longer than three months to solve, but the government had to improve its image and its intention to work on these issues.

Suriyasai called on the government and the Council for National Security to start using their full potential and ability to solve problems.

"If the government and CNS sell only their image, it will be hard for them to tackle national problems. And the old power clique will intensify their criticism of the CNS and government," Suriyasai said.

He said if the CNS and the government were too slow in tackling the problems of the poor, rural protestors would come out to campaign against the government and the old clique would take advantage of this discontent to further their own ambitions.