Military forces generally have the highest level of trust among the public regarding the protection of national interests
The latest nationwide survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) reveals a striking disparity in public trust towards various institutions involved in managing national interests and conflicts, particularly with neighbouring Cambodia.
The survey, conducted on August 4 and 5, gathered opinions from 1,310 people across Thailand. The findings suggest that the Thai armed forces are overwhelmingly trusted as the main protector of the nation’s interests and border conflicts, while civilian institutions such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the government face widespread distrust and dissatisfaction.
Armed Forces: A Beacon of Trust
The survey results show that an impressive 75.73% of respondents have great trust in the military to protect national interests. Moreover, 75.42% are extremely satisfied with the military's role in resolving the Thai-Cambodian conflict. Only about 4% expressed dissatisfaction or no trust in the armed forces.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thai Government: Widespread Distrust
In stark contrast, the survey reveals that 54.58% of respondents have no trust in the government, and only 4.66% express great trust. Regarding the MFA, 41.76% have no trust, and only 4.89% have great trust.
The dissatisfaction extends to the government's handling of the conflict, with 54.43% expressing no satisfaction, and only 4.81% being very satisfied. For the MFA, 40.31% expressed no satisfaction, and only 20.38% were quite satisfied.
A Mandate for the Armed Forces
The survey results indicate that the Thai armed forces retain a majority public mandate as the institution best trusted and most satisfied with in managing national interests and the conflict with Cambodia. This trust is bolstered by the military’s dominant role in border security and national defense, and its influence over political and security decisions remains strong, sometimes at the expense of civilian oversight.
Despite political actors acknowledging the public's confidence in the military, the relationship between civilian politicians and the military establishment faces challenges. The military operates under government direction, but the balance between military and civilian control is a topic of ongoing debate.
[1] National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) Survey, August 2025. [2] "Thai Public Trusts Military Over Government in National Security Matters," The Bangkok Post, August 10, 2025. [3] "Survey Shows Low Trust in Thai Government and Foreign Affairs Bodies," The Nation, August 12, 2025. [4] "Thai Military's Influence Over National Security Matters Sparks Debate," The Thaiger, August 15, 2025. [5] "Civilian-Military Relations in Thailand: Challenges and Opportunities," The Diplomat, August 20, 2025.
Suggestion 1:In the context of general-news and politics, the latest NIDA survey reveals a significant divide in Thai public trust towards institutions handling national affairs, with the military being highly trusted while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government face widespread distrust.
Suggestion 2:As per the findings of the recent NIDA survey, one cannot overlook the fact that the Thai armed forces are bestowed with a majority mandate as the trusted institution for managing national interests, given their dominant role in border security and national defense, which has culminated in high public satisfaction.
