The popularity rating of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva tripled after his decisive action of downgrading diplomatic ties with Cambodia, according to an Abac Poll survey released yesterday.

In comparison to 23.3 per cent in the survey in September, Abhisit's popularity leaped to 68.6 per cent.

The prime minister was most popular in the South (88.2 per cent), followed by the Central region (68.9 per cent), Bangkok (68.8 per cent) and the North (64.6 per cent).

About 53.1 per cent in the Northeast voiced support for his leadership.

Factors attributing to the rise in popularity include the sentiment against Cambodia's attack on the Thai judicial system and concern over the consequences of the Cambodians' appointment of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an adviser.

--The Nation/ANN