What Worries Thailand? January 2026
According to the January 2026 edition of Ipsos' latest What Worries the World? survey, financial and political corruption remains the primary concern for Thais, while a sharp surge in worry over military conflict highlights a fragile peace on the nation's borders. Despite these anxieties, a wave of optimism has swept the country regarding its overall direction.
Top Concerns: Corruption and Conflict Take Center Stage
The start of 2026 sees two dominant issues weighing on the public mind:
Financial/Political Corruption (46%) remains the #1 worry, increasing by 3 percentage points from the previous month. With the general election scheduled for early February, the focus on transparency and governance has intensified.
Military Conflict Between Nations (44%): Worry regarding international conflict has surged by a dramatic 15 percentage points since December. While Thailand and Cambodia reaffirmed a second ceasefire on December 27, 2025, the public remains deeply wary of the situation’s stability.
Social and Economic Pressures: Poverty and social inequality (35%) and Unemployment (23%) both saw slight increases this month, while Inflation (22%) remained a top-five concern.
A Surge in Optimism for the State of the Nation
The proportion of Thais who believe the country is heading in the "Right Direction" has jumped to 62%, an 8-point increase from last month.
This surge in positive sentiment coincides with the government’s decision to dissolve parliament and call for a general election. This move appears to have provided a "hope dividend," even as 58% of the population still describes the current economic situation as "bad" (though this is a 4-point improvement from December).
Personal Finances: Post-Holiday Caution vs. Future Hope
The data reveals a "new year cooling" in consumer spending confidence, contrasted by a very strong outlook for the months ahead.
Comfort levels for major purchases (such as homes or cars) dropped by 5 points to 52%, while comfort with household purchases dipped slightly to 66%. This likely reflects a natural tightening of belts following the high-spending year-end holiday season.
Despite immediate caution, Thais are increasingly bullish about their long-term prospects. A majority (52%) expect their personal financial situation to be stronger in six months, a notable 9-point jump from the previous month. Only 13% expect their situation to weaken.
