September Suan Dusit Poll finds 40.56% say time not right for Thai protests
Suan Dusit Poll finds 69.54% of respondents cite economic and living-cost problems as potential triggers for political demonstrations in Thailand.
- Suan Dusit Poll’s September 8–11, 2026 survey found that 40.56% considered the timing inappropriate for political demonstrations in Thailand, compared with 35.60% who thought it was appropriate.
- Economic and living-cost problems were cited by 69.54% of Suan Dusit Poll respondents as potential triggers for demonstrations.
- Suan Dusit Poll found that 41.86% expected demonstrations to bring political change but thought the direction remained unclear.
A Suan Dusit Poll survey conducted across Thailand from September 8 to 11, 2026 found that 40.56% of respondents believed the time was not yet right for political demonstrations. That was the largest share, rather than a majority, compared with 35.60% who considered the timing appropriate and 23.84% who were unsure.
Suan Dusit University surveyed 1,149 people nationwide through online and field surveys for the study, titled “Political demonstrations at present”. The release was dated Sunday (September 13), and noted that respondents could give multiple answers to applicable questions, with percentages calculated separately for each response.
Economic pressures lead potential protest triggers in Thai poll
Economic problems and the cost of living were the most frequently identified potential causes of political demonstrations in Suan Dusit Poll, cited by 69.54% of respondents. Political cases and alleged Senate collusion followed at 68.76%, while transparency and corruption were cited by 68.32%.
Suan Dusit Poll respondents also recognised competing implications of political demonstrations. While 47.95% believed protests helped highlight problems deserving society’s attention, 46.74% cited effects on the economy and Thailand’s image, and 46.48% identified risks of conflict or violence.
Suan Dusit respondents see uncertain political outcomes from protests
Asked how demonstrations might affect politics, 41.86% of Suan Dusit Poll respondents expected change but believed its direction remained unclear. A further 24.98% thought demonstrations would intensify political conflict, 18.71% doubted they would bring change for the better, and 14.45% believed they could improve the political situation.
Suan Dusit Poll finds 30.02% follow politics continuously
Interest in political developments varied among Suan Dusit Poll respondents, with 44.65% expressing some interest without following the details and 30.02% following developments continuously. Another 17.15% were not very interested, while 8.18% expressed no interest.
Suan Dusit analysts urge action on underlying grievances
Dr Pornpan Buathong, chair of Suan Dusit Poll at Suan Dusit University, urged all sides to address the causes of public discontent and create opportunities for people to express their views. Her analysis identified accumulated pressure from both bread-and-butter problems and concerns about confidence in the political system.
Pornpan acknowledged that demonstrations were a form of democratic expression, but suggested they might not offer an answer at present. She expressed concern that protests could produce greater uncertainty or conflict rather than a way out of the problems.
Asst Prof Yodchai Chutikamo, a lecturer on the Bachelor of Political Science programme at Suan Dusit University’s School of Law and Politics, warned that apparent political calm should not encourage the government to overlook people’s hardships.
Yodchai described Thailand’s political atmosphere as among the calmest in several years following the arrival of the government led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party. He pointed to the 30.02% who continuously followed politics and the 35.60% who considered the time appropriate for demonstrations, alongside respondents’ uncertainty about the direction of any resulting change.
Yodchai linked the findings to almost a decade of political instability and conflict inside and outside parliament, which he argued had left people weary of politics and disillusioned with political leaders.
Yodchai urged the government to take the findings seriously rather than treat governing as routine daily work while neglecting public hardship. He warned that apparent calm could develop into a force undermining the government’s legitimacy, potentially leaving it unable to maintain sufficient control to continue governing and taking Thai politics “back to square one”.
