Over 37 percent or the majority of Thai respondents hoped that the Thai cabinet's reshuffle would improve the government's work efficiency, according to a survey released on Sunday.

After the cabinet reshuffle last week, which involved 16 ministerial posts, an opinion poll was conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University among 2,507 people from January 18 to 21 on the issue.

The poll showed 37.50 percent of respondents hoped that the cabinet's reshuffle would improve the government's capability while 22.32 percent said they will wait and see the performance of newcomers for a while.

It also showed that 80.13 percent of poll respondents were satisfied with shifting Defence Minister Gen. Yutthasak Sasiprapa to deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs, while 78. 65 percent agreed with the new post of Kittiratt Na Ranong as deputy prime minister and finance minister.

Regarding advantages of the first reshuffle of the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, 47.31 percent said it would give a chance to competent newcomers to work for the government and 40.86 percent said it will help improve the government's performance. However, when asked about the disadvantages, 46.98 percent said the cabinet reshuffle may disrupt ministry work, as new ministers may need time to study their new roles and get up to speed.

Following Yingluck's proposal submitted on January 16, His Majesty the King on January 18 endorsed the cabinet reshuffle involving 16 ministerial posts -- ten newcomers and six swapped positions. This relatively major change came only nearly six months after the Pheu Thai Party took the office in August.