A majority of Thais say they remain patient but are increasingly worried about the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border conflict, according to a new survey released by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida Poll).
The poll, titled ‘Are Thais Still Patient?’, was conducted from Oct 14-16 among 1,310 respondents aged 18 and above across all regions, occupations, and income levels. It gauged public satisfaction with the government’s handling of the border dispute and assessed people’s levels of patience and concern amid the rising tensions.
Mixed views on government and institutions
When asked about satisfaction with the roles of various state agencies, the military earned the highest approval, with 53.7% of respondents saying they were ‘very satisfied’ and another 34.2% ‘somewhat satisfied’. Only 12% expressed dissatisfaction.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received mixed ratings: 34.7% said they were somewhat satisfied, while a combined 48.8% said they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied.
The government fared the worst, with 38.3% saying they were ‘not very satisfied’ and 26% ‘not satisfied at all’. Only about 35% expressed some level of satisfaction with its response to the conflict.
Public patience wearing thin
Asked about their patience with the Thai-Cambodian situation, 40.5% of respondents said they still had ‘moderate patience’, while 24.4% admitted they had ‘lost patience’. Another 19.7% said their patience was ‘starting to run out’, and 14.7% said they remained ‘highly patient’.
Among residents in border provinces, where tensions are felt most acutely, 38.6% said they were moderately patient, 24.3% said they had lost patience, and 22.4% said their patience was waning.
Key concerns: prolonged conflict and livelihoods
Nearly half of border respondents (46.2%) said their biggest worry was that the border conflict would drag on without resolution. Other major concerns included the livelihoods of local people (44.8%) and the welfare of soldiers, police, and volunteers stationed along the frontier (33.3%).
A quarter (25.7%) feared the possibility of renewed fighting, while 16.7% worried that Thailand might lose territory. About 13% were anxious about prolonged border closures affecting cross-border trade.
Most favour firm economic pressure on Cambodia
When asked about the best way to resolve the conflict, 35.2% said Thailand should apply economic pressure, such as closing border checkpoints and halting trade with Cambodia. Another 34% said any solution must ensure that Thailand does not lose territory or advantage.
About 25% favoured serious diplomatic negotiations, while 22% said the government should give the military full authority to handle the situation. Meanwhile, 21.7% wanted the government to provide full support and compensation to affected communities and businesses.
Only small numbers supported more extreme measures: 2.2% suggested intervening in Cambodian domestic politics to topple the Hun Sen and Hun Manet governments, and 1.4% supported taking the case to the International Court of Justice.