What Worries Thailand? February 2026
The latest Ipsos What Worries the World survey reveals Thailand is caught between optimism for the future and deep-seated concerns regarding systemic integrity amid one of its most pivotal General Elections in recent history.
The February 2026 wave of the Global Advisor survey provides a unique snapshot of the Thai public mood just before citizens headed to the polls. While the "Right Direction" sentiment held steady, a closer look at the data reveals underlying anxieties that have only intensified following recent electoral proceedings and skepticism toward the Election Commission.
Corruption Reclaims the Top Spot
Financial and political corruption remains the primary concern for Thais. At 47%, corruption is not only the top worry but has seen a significant +9 point increase compared to last year. This spike reflects a pre-election environment where voters were hyper-aware of political transparency.
While the survey was conducted before the post-election skepticism regarding the vote-counting process and the Election Commission's performance took hold, the high baseline of worry suggests that the public was already on high alert for irregularities.
Personal Finance, a Silver Lining
Despite the macro-level worries, Thais are reporting a surprising uptick in personal financial confidence. This "micro-optimism" suggests that while people are wary of the government, they feel more stable in their own households. 56% of Thais feel more comfortable making a major purchase (like a home or car) compared to six months ago, a +4 point increase from last month. 67% feel more comfortable with everyday household purchases, up +1 point.
Future Outlook: Half of the population (50%) expects their personal financial situation to be "much or somewhat stronger" six months from now, despite a slight -2 point dip in optimism compared to the previous month.
Country Direction vs. Economic Reality
The survey also suggests that during the pre-election period, 62% of Thais felt the country was heading in the right direction. This figure remained stable compared to both the previous month and the previous year, likely fueled by the hope for democratic change.
However, this optimism does not extend to the broader economy. The State of the Economy remains a point of contention. 54% of Thais describe the current economic situation as bad. While there was a slight +4 point improvement in those saying the economy is good (46%), the sentiment remains net-negative. Inflation also remains a top-five concern at 23%, highlighting persistent pressure on the cost of living.
Geopolitical Tensions Ease, but Still in Focus
The February 2026 data shows the cooling of anxieties regarding military conflict. Military conflict between nations saw a significant -11 point drop from the previous month. Despite this sharp decline, it remains the third-largest worry for Thais at 33% as the Thai public remains wary of the long-term impact of global instability on national security and trade.
