In a recent survey conducted by the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, public satisfaction with the Thai government's performance over the past six months has been assessed, revealing a range of opinions from citizens across the nation. The results, announced on May 5, 2025, by Mr. Jirayu Houngsub, the Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, indicate a high level of approval for several government initiatives, particularly the "30 baht treats all" scheme, which has garnered significant support.
The survey, which targeted individuals aged 18 and older in every province of Thailand, found that 71.6% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the healthcare initiative, which allows citizens to access medical services for just 30 baht. This initiative was followed by the agricultural debt moratorium program, which received a satisfaction rating of 55.8%, and the marijuana amnesty program, which scored 41.3%.
Other notable initiatives included the reduction of electricity costs for vulnerable groups, which received a satisfaction score of 32.6%, and efforts to promote tourism, which scored 30.3%. The survey also highlighted regional differences in satisfaction levels, with the northeastern region (Isan) showing the highest average satisfaction at 40.1%, followed by the northern region at 28.5%, the central region at 24.7%, the southern region at 20.1%, and Bangkok at 14.7%.
Interestingly, the survey also examined the perceptions of older adults, revealing that those aged 60 and above expressed the highest levels of satisfaction with government initiatives, particularly the senior citizen group, which scored 31.5%. This demographic appears to appreciate the government's focus on programs aimed at improving their quality of life.
In terms of government services, citizens reported the highest satisfaction with the road network, which received a score of 68.4%. Additionally, satisfaction with online communication channels such as social media platforms like Facebook, LINE, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter stood at 59.6%, while traditional sources, such as family and friends, garnered a lower satisfaction rating of 16.9%.
The survey also identified urgent areas where citizens feel the government should focus its efforts. A striking 86.7% of respondents indicated a desire for the government to control the prices of essential goods, while 67.5% called for a reduction in energy costs, including electricity, water, and fuel. Other pressing issues included drug-related problems, with 43% of respondents seeking solutions, and 35.5% expressing concern over debt issues. Additionally, 30.3% of respondents advocated for improved social welfare measures, such as financial assistance for low-income individuals and better healthcare and education services.
During a cabinet meeting held in Nakhon Phanom province on April 29, 2025, the Prime Minister's Office reported on the government's ongoing efforts to address these urgent issues, emphasizing the importance of public feedback in shaping policies. The "Quality of Life Fund, Helping Each Other" project, which aims to assist vulnerable individuals, has been allocated a budget of 1.3 billion baht and is set to be implemented between December 12, 2024, and May 18, 2025.
Furthermore, the "Wang Pha Model and Thawat Buri Model" projects in Si Sa Ket province are designed to screen vulnerable individuals for potential assistance. As of April 17, 2025, these initiatives have screened 1,066,407 individuals out of a target of 4,112,206. The government aims to address these pressing issues by 2025, with a view to fully resolving them by 2027.
Overall, the survey results indicate a complex landscape of public opinion regarding the government's performance, with a notable appreciation for certain initiatives while also highlighting significant areas of concern that require immediate attention. The government appears to be listening to the voices of its citizens, as evidenced by the ongoing projects and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for all Thais.
