On September 7, 2025, the political landscape in Thailand was shaken by the release of a new poll from NIDA Poll, the survey center of the National Institute of Development Administration. The findings, published widely by Prachachat and Ch7, revealed a striking consensus among Bangkok residents: a majority want the House of Representatives dissolved as soon as possible, without waiting for the next four months. This sentiment comes at a pivotal moment, as debates over constitutional reform and the future direction of Thai politics continue to simmer.
The survey, conducted over September 4 and 5, 2025, gathered responses from 1,310 Bangkok residents aged 18 and above. Participants represented a cross-section of the city, spanning various districts, education levels, professions, and income brackets. The poll’s central question revolved around whether the House of Representatives should be dissolved within four months—a move that would pave the way for constitutional amendments, a topic that has dominated political discourse in recent months.
According to the NIDA Poll, a commanding 59.24% of respondents said the House should be dissolved immediately, without waiting the proposed four months. This figure, as reported by Ch7 and Prachachat, underscores a strong sense of urgency among the public. Another 27.17% of those surveyed agreed with dissolving the House within four months, indicating that over 86% of respondents supported dissolution either immediately or within the near term. In stark contrast, only 9.54% felt that the current House should serve its full term, which is set to end in 2027. A small minority—2.52% and 0.92% respectively—favored dissolution within six months or within a year, while 0.61% were undecided or declined to answer.
But what’s fueling this demand for swift political change? The answer appears to lie in the broader debate over constitutional reform. The same survey asked respondents how strongly they desired changes to the constitution. The results were telling: 37.56% said they wanted constitutional amendments very much, while 21.76% described themselves as somewhat in favor. On the other end of the spectrum, 28.17% said they did not want constitutional change at all, and 9.99% were only slightly in favor. A small group—2.52%—were undecided or uninterested.
Digging deeper, NIDA Poll asked those who expressed a strong or moderate desire for constitutional reform (a combined 777 respondents) about their preferred approach. Here, the numbers were even more definitive: 74.39% wanted the constitution to be amended article by article, rather than rewritten wholesale. Only 24.71% supported a complete overhaul of the constitution, and less than 1% chose not to answer. These figures, reported by both Prachachat and Ch7, suggest that while the appetite for reform is high, most Thais favor a measured, incremental process over sweeping, all-at-once changes.
The context for these findings is critical. In recent years, Thailand has experienced repeated bouts of political instability, with frequent government dissolutions, mass protests, and contentious debates over the country’s foundational laws. The constitution itself has been amended and rewritten multiple times since the 1930s, often in the wake of political crises. For many, the current charter is seen as a legacy of past military influence, and calls for reform have grown louder as citizens demand more accountability and representation.
Against this backdrop, the NIDA Poll’s results are a clear signal to political leaders. The overwhelming support for immediate dissolution of the House reflects not just dissatisfaction with current governance, but also a desire to clear the way for meaningful constitutional change. As one might expect, these numbers have already sparked intense discussion among politicians, activists, and ordinary citizens alike.
Interestingly, the poll also highlighted the dominance of the Thai Sang Thai party in Bangkok. According to the survey, the party enjoys 59% support across the city’s four constituencies—mirroring the overall percentage of respondents who want the House dissolved quickly. This alignment may be more than coincidental, as Thai Sang Thai has positioned itself as a champion of reform and political renewal. Other parties trailed behind, with support percentages of 37.56%, 28.17%, 21.76%, 9.99%, 2.52%, 0.92%, and 0.61%, reflecting a fragmented opposition and a shifting political landscape.
While the NIDA Poll focused on Bangkok, its implications are national. The capital has long been a bellwether for political trends in Thailand, and strong opinions here often ripple out to the rest of the country. The urgency expressed by Bangkokians may well be echoed in other regions, especially as debates over constitutional reform intensify.
It’s worth noting that the methodology of the poll lends weight to its findings. With a sample size of 1,310 and careful demographic representation, the survey offers a robust snapshot of urban public opinion. Still, as with any poll, there are limitations. The focus on Bangkok means rural perspectives may not be fully captured, and public sentiment can shift quickly in response to political events. Nevertheless, the consistency of the results—both in terms of support for immediate House dissolution and for article-by-article constitutional amendment—paints a vivid picture of current attitudes.
Political analysts are already speculating about the next steps. Will the government heed the call for swift action, or will it try to ride out the current term? And if a new round of elections is triggered, how will the different parties position themselves on the issue of constitutional reform? The Thai Sang Thai party’s strong showing in the poll may embolden it to push harder for change, while other parties may need to recalibrate their strategies to keep pace with public opinion.
As Thailand stands at another crossroads, the voices captured by the NIDA Poll offer both a challenge and an opportunity. The message from the streets of Bangkok is clear: people want change, and they want it now. Whether the country’s leaders will respond remains to be seen, but the pressure is mounting—and the world is watching.
For now, the numbers speak for themselves, offering a rare glimpse into the hopes and frustrations of a city, and perhaps a nation, on the brink of transformation.
