The majority of respondents agreed that a general election was the only hope for restoration of political stability. It is the best way to deal with the current political confrontation, they said.

The survey, conducted by the Abac Poll Research Centre, was released yesterday.

Of 558 foreigners surveyed between this past Monday and Saturday, 59.3 per cent said it believed the Thaksin government was involved in "irregularities". A group of 7.4 per cent disagreed and the remainder had no comment.

Almost half of the respondents, 49 per cent, agreed street protests against the junta could lead to violence. About a quarter of those surveyed disagreed, while the remainder had no comments.

Sixty-eight per cent said an election would lead to political stability, but 13 per cent disagreed. Almost 88 per cent of respondents considered an election the best solution to political unrest. The remaining 12 per cent did not think so.

Of those surveyed, 68 per cent were from Europe, 10 per cent from the United States, 9 per cent from Asia and the remainder were from Australia, New Zealand, Africa and elsewhere.

In a separate Abac survey, 49 per cent of respondents want to see an election within three months. Another 31 per cent want one within six months while the remainder were content with an election after six months.

Among popular candidates for prime minister were former interior minister Purachai Piumsombun with 42 per cent support, statesman and former prime minister Anand Panyarachun with 38 per cent and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva with 35 per cent.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development director Supachai Panitchpakdi received 31 per cent support and former prime minister Chuan Leekpai 28 per cent.

Respondents were free to select more than one preference. No politician banned from the electoral process by the recent Constitution Tribunal ruling was eligible for selection. The survey was conducted among 1,750 residents of greater Bangkok.