Most Thais Distrust Anutin Government on Welfare, Poll Shows

Suan Dusit Poll, Suan Dusit University, surveyed 1,132 people nationwide from October 20-23 on "What the Public Thinks About State Welfare." The poll found 68.9 percent believe the state should prioritize assistance for people with disabilities and those needing special help, 64.93 percent cited disaster or emergency victims, and 64.22 percent mentioned elderly care.

Regarding welfare scope, 48.06 percent said basic welfare should be provided universally to all citizens, 38.34 percent supported universal basic welfare with extra help for vulnerable groups, and 13.6 percent said welfare should target only low-income or vulnerable groups.

However, 46.29 percent said the public can access state rights and welfare only "quite a little," 31.44 percent said "quite a lot," 15.64 percent said "very little," and 6.63 percent said "a lot."

On funding expanded welfare, 48.32 percent said the government should reduce or reprioritize other budget items, 48.14 percent said large or highly profitable businesses should bear higher taxes, and 40.64 percent favored improving tax collection efficiency and preventing tax evasion.

Asked how much current state welfare improves people's livelihoods, 47.53 percent said it helps "quite a little," 27.03 percent said "quite a lot," 16.34 percent said "very little or hardly at all," and 9.1 percent said "a lot."

On confidence in Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's government regarding welfare management, 39.66 percent said they are "not very confident," 28.18 percent "fairly confident," 25.19 percent "not confident at all," and 6.97 percent "very confident."