Survey: Thai Civil Servants Choose Stability Over Higher Pay
A Nida Poll survey of over 1,300 Thai civil servants found that 79% prioritize job security over salary, with half reporting no intention to resign despite workplace dissatisfaction.
Nida Poll, the polling center of the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), has released survey findings on the question "Should civil servants stay or leave early?" The survey was conducted August 4-6, 2025, among 1,310 government employees, state officials, and state enterprise workers aged 18-59 across all regions and income levels nationwide.
When asked why they chose public service, respondents gave the following reasons:
78.85% cited job security as the main factor 54.12% mentioned good benefits 23.28% cited good salary 22.90% said it was family pressure or expectation 21.37% said it was a long-held personal dream 10.53% wanted to honor their parents and family 8.32% wished to serve the nation and people 3.51% had no better option and simply needed employment 2.67% desired social status and rank 1.68% were obligated by scholarship agreements 0.46% wanted to exercise state power 0.53% listed other reasons, including working near home or matching their field of study
Regarding job dissatisfaction:
50.08% reported no dissatisfaction and no intention to resign 19.01% felt bored but stayed for their family 13.89% felt bored but did not know what else to do 7.02% were not bored but would leave for better opportunities 6.72% were bored and ready to quit for a better job 5.95% were bored and willing to take early retirement if offered 5.27% were bored and would quit if they had enough money 2.67% were bored and ready to resign anytime 2.37% were bored but had to stay to repay educational loans
On workplace staffing levels:
58.40% said there were more jobs than people 30.61% said staff and workload were appropriately balanced 10.99% said there were more people than jobs
On early retirement policies for civil servants:
64.05% supported early retirement for those aged 50+ or with 25+ years of service (with at least 2 years remaining) 24.66% thought all government employee types should have early retirement options 20.00% opposed early retirement for civil servants 19.24% supported it for those aged 40-49 with 10+ years of service 13.36% thought state enterprise employees should also have the option 12.37% thought government officials should have the option 11.37% thought all age groups of civil servants should have early retirement 1.76% had no knowledge or opinion
