Govt’s cash-handout scheme tops Thai search trend on Google this year

Google’s annual Year in Search offers a unique perspective on the year’s major events, hottest trends and changes in consumer behaviour based on searches conducted in the country.

This year, Thais appeared to be most intrigued about campaigns launched by the government to help reduce the cost of living for those affected by the economic fallout caused by the Covid-19 pandemic as well as to stimulate the Thai economy.

Undoubtedly, five of the top 10 trending search terms were associated with government schemes, including “เราไม่ทิ้งกัน”, the Rao Mai Ting Kan or No One Will Be Left Behind cash-handout scheme; “คนละครึ่ง”, the Khon La Krueng or Let’s Go Halves shopping-subsidy scheme; “เยียวยาเกษตรกร” subsidy for farmers; “เราเที่ยวด้วยกัน”, Rao Tiew Duay Kan or We Travel Together tourism stimulus campaign; and the “ลงทะเบียนรับเงินค่าไฟ” power subsidy scheme.

The pandemic continues to attract the attention of Thais, as the search term “โควิด-19” (Covid-19) came in as No 3.

Meanwhile, two search terms related to education – “DLTV” (Distance Learning Television) and “สมัครสอบ ก.พ.” (OCSC exam registration) – made their way to the top 10 for the first time.

International news also drew interest from Thais as the top-trending list also includes searches for “US Election 2020”.

In addition, Covid-19 has driven Thais to get things done online as they’re adjusting to the new normal. The terms “เรียนออนไลน์” (online learning), “ลอยกระทงออนไลน์” (online krathong floating), “ยื่นภาษีออนไลน์” (online tax filing), “เวียนเทียนออนไลน์” (online light waving rite), and “อบรมใบขับขี่ออนไลน์” (online driving licence training) were the top five trending queries related to online activities.

When it comes to news, Thai netizens showed interest in several different topics. This year, the coronavirus outbreak has put people across Thailand on high alert as “โควิค-19” (Covid-19) topped the trending news list.

The list also includes search for “ไวรัส RSV” (RSV virus), which came in at No 4. Thais also showed interest in global politics with “US Election 2020” taking the second spot.

Meanwhile, four out 10 trending news are about tragic incidents that captured nationwide attention, including “ข่าวน้องชมพู่”, news about the death of three-year-old Nong Chompoo; “กราดยิงโคราช”, the mass shooting in Nakhon Ratchasima; “โจรปล้นทอง”, murder-robbery at a gold shop in Lopburi; and “รถไฟชนรถบัส”, a bus-train collision in Chachoengsao.

News about natural events like the solar eclipse “สุริยุปราคา 2563” and storms in Thailand “พายุเข้าไทย” also made it to the top 10 of trending news queries this year.

For travel-related searches, the list is dominated by domestic destinations including those with natural scenery, mountains and cold weather like “เชียงใหม่” (Chiang Mai), “เชียงราย” (Chiang Rai), “เขาค้อ” (Khao Kho), and “กาญจนบุรี” (Kanchanaburi), as people are unable to travel overseas due to Covid-19. Beach and seaside destinations like “สุราษฎร์ธานี” (Surat Thani), “พัทยา” (Pattaya), “หัวหิน” (Hua Hin), “ประจวบคีรีขันธ์” (Prachuap Khiri Khan), “ระนอง” (Ranong), and “ระยอง” (Rayong) are also among the top 10 trending destinations.

Thais also showed their eagerness to learn “how to” do things to adjust to the new normal and take advantage of government’s campaigns. The terms “วิธีใช้คนละครึ่ง” (how to apply for Khon La Krueng scheme) ranked No 1 among the top 10 how-to queries.

The list also includes “วิธีลงทะเบียนค่าไฟ” (how to register for electricity bill subsidy), “วิธีทำหน้ากากอนามัย” (how to make a face mask), “วิธีทำเจลล้างมือ” (how to make hand sanitiser), “วิธีลงทะเบียนรับเงิน 5,000” (how to register for the Bt5,000 cash handout), “วิธีลงทะเบียนเยียวยาเกษตรกร” (how to register for a subsidy for farmers), and “วิธีแก้เครียด” (how to relieve stress).

Visit g.co/2020trends/TH to learn more about Google’s Year in Search 2020.