What Worries Thailand? August 2025
For the first time, 'military conflict between nations' has become the number one concern for the Thai public, according to the August 2025 edition of Ipsos' What Worries the World global survey. This marks the second consecutive month the issue has ranked among the top five national anxieties, highlighting a significant shift in public sentiment driven by the ongoing border dispute with Cambodia.
The gravity of the situation is further underscored by a separate Ipsos FastFacts survey conducted in August. The poll reveals that an overwhelming 86% of Thais are concerned about the recent escalation of the conflict. This widespread apprehension is fueled by intense media coverage and public discourse, with a combined 97% of the population following the news about the border situation either "very closely" (61%) or "somewhat closely" (36%).
Deep-seated concerns and a call for diplomacy
The recent flare-up, which has involved armed clashes and casualties, has clearly captured the nation's attention and reshaped its priorities. The FastFacts survey digs deeper into the public's perspective on the conflict:
- Fear of escalation: A vast majority of Thais, 84%, are concerned about the potential for the conflict to escalate further, with 38% stating they "strongly agree" with this sentiment.
- Impact on reputation: There is a strong belief that the tensions have damaged Thailand's image on the world stage, with 67% of respondents saying the conflict has had a negative impact on the country's international reputation. This has been a concern for some time, with travel warnings being raised by some governments.
- Divided on government response: Public opinion on the government's handling of the crisis is split. 42% believe the government is managing the situation effectively, while a nearly equal 40% disagree.
- A path to peace: Despite the anxieties, there is a clear preference for a peaceful resolution. A majority of Thais (58%) believe diplomatic negotiations are the best way forward. This is supported by a hopeful outlook, as 63% are confident that a long-term, peaceful resolution can be achieved, compared to only 16% who are not confident.
A shift in the national psyche
The elevation of military conflict to the top of Thailand's worry list displaces long-standing domestic issues like financial/political corruption and poverty, which were the primary concerns in the first half of 2025. In July, worry over military conflict had already surged by 28 percentage points, a direct response to the escalating border tensions that have dominated headlines.
While global concerns in the What Worries the World survey continue to focus on issues like crime and violence (32%) and inflation (31%), Thailand's results demonstrate how acute regional conflicts can swiftly redefine a nation's primary anxieties.
The findings from both the What Worries the World and the Ipsos FastFacts surveys paint a vivid picture of a nation closely watching its borders. The Thai public is deeply engaged, concerned about the immediate and long-term consequences of the conflict, yet remains hopeful that diplomacy and peaceful negotiation will ultimately prevail.
